William Saliba was absent from Arsenal’s Premier League match against Aston Villa on Saturday due to a hamstring injury. This development further compounds the challenges faced by manager Mikel Arteta, who is already managing a depleted squad with several first-team players unavailable.
Despite the setback, Arsenal has described the 23-year-old defender’s injury as “minor,” giving fans hope that he will return to action in the near future. Saliba, a key figure in Arsenal’s defensive line, has made 30 appearances for club and country this season. His partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes has been a cornerstone of the team’s stability at the back.
The injury occurred during the closing moments of Arsenal’s midweek victory over Tottenham, forcing Saliba to sit out only his second Premier League match of the season. Saliba was notably absent from the training session on Friday, and Arsenal is taking a cautious approach to ensure his full recovery.
“He felt something before the match, something muscular,” Arteta confirmed before the game. “I don’t think it’s too serious, but he couldn’t train yesterday. He wasn’t feeling good enough to play, so we need to assess the situation further.”
In Saliba’s absence, Jurrien Timber has been tasked with covering the center-back position, while Thomas Partey continues to fill in at right-back with Riccardo Calafiori unavailable. Mikel Merino also returns to the midfield lineup, and Gabriel Martinelli reclaims his starting role from Raheem Sterling, who begins the match on the bench.
Arsenal supporters will be eager to see how the team adapts to these changes, especially with crucial fixtures on the horizon. The hope remains that Saliba’s injury is indeed minor, allowing him to return and strengthen the squad in the coming weeks.