Arsenal will be without centre-back William Saliba for Wednesday’s game with Manchester City in what is a huge blow for Mikel Arteta.
The clash at the Etihad Stadium is being billed as a title-decider.
City are just five points behind the Gunners in the Premier League, but have two games in hand.
The title is in Pep Guardiola’s hands now, following Arsenal’s draw against Southampton on Friday night.
The Gunners could only draw 3-3 at the Emirates Stadium, with the Saints turning in an excellent display.
It seems the pressure is really affecting Arsenal, with West Ham United’s Michail Antonio actually claiming last week that someone at the club told him there has been talk about City’s current hot streak.
Wednesday’s game is undoubtedly the biggest in the Premier League this season.
If Arsenal win, it will send a huge message and make them massive favourites for the title.
If City win, Arsenal will surely end up falling away.
It promises to be a cracker, but it has been reported this morning that Arsenal are going to be without defender Saliba.
The Athletic report that the Frenchman has not recovered from a back injury, and will play no part against City.
It is even suggested he won’t feature against Chelsea and may even miss the remainder of the season.
There had initially been some talk that Saliba might be passed fit for the game.
This is a major blow for Arteta, with Saliba having been enjoying a tremendous season up until his setback. Rob Holding has been deputising for him, and Arsenal have not kept a single clean sheet in their last five games in which he’s started, conceding nine.
No William Saliba for Arsenal is undoubtedly good news for Manchester City
The fact Saliba will not be playing for Arsenal on Wednesday is a major blow for them and great news for City.
The Athletic report ‘across his 27 appearances, Arsenal conceded an average of 0.9 goals per match compared to 1.8 without him’. So statistically, the Gunners are much stronger at the back when he plays.
Guardiola, of course, will not think too deeply about this.
The focus for him will be about how his team plays.
But certainly, there is reason to believe that the Arsenal defence is far weaker without Saliba.
