Arsenal have suffered a major setback with the news that star defender William Saliba could miss up to four weeks after sustaining an ankle injury that forced him to withdraw from the France squad.
Saliba, 23, limped off just minutes into Arsenal’s narrow 1–0 defeat to Liverpool before the international break. Manager Mikel Arteta later revealed that the Frenchman twisted his ankle in the warm-up but insisted on trying to play through the pain.
Despite being named in Didier Deschamps’ France squad, Saliba quickly pulled out after consulting with the national team doctor. A medical report confirmed the defender had suffered a sprained left ankle.
Timeline Revealed – Saliba Out Until Mid-October
According to L’Équipe, Saliba is unlikely to return until after the October international break, ruling him out of several key matches for the Gunners. That means Arsenal could be without their defensive rock for up to four weeks of action.
Fixtures Saliba Could Miss
Saliba’s absence comes at the worst possible time, with Arsenal facing a challenging run of games:
Premier League: Nottingham Forest (H), Manchester City (H), Newcastle United (A), West Ham United (H)
Champions League: Athletic Club (A), Olympiacos (H)
Carabao Cup: Port Vale (A) – though he was unlikely to feature
Who Will Replace Saliba?
Arteta now faces a selection dilemma at the back. Cristhian Mosquera, who stepped in against Liverpool, is a candidate to fill the void. However, Deadline Day signing Piero Hincapié could move to the front of the queue, while versatile defender Riccardo Calafiori may also slot into a central role if required.
Meanwhile, youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly is close to returning and could provide cover at left-back, allowing Calafiori to move centrally if needed.
A Huge Blow for Arsenal
Saliba’s commanding presence has been crucial to Arsenal’s defensive solidity, and his absence will be a massive concern for Arteta as the Gunners enter a crucial phase of their season.
Fans will be hoping for a swift recovery, with Saliba expected to be back in action by mid-October, just in time for the busy run-up to the winter schedule.
