WILLIAM SALIBA is set to miss Arsenal’s Sunday showdown with Liverpool as the Premier League leaders look to end their 11-year Anfield nightmare.
The French international defender is still struggling with a back injury and has been unable to train for the past fortnight.
And Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is refusing to take any risks with the 22-year-old centre-half who is going to be a key player in the title run-in.
Saliba sustained the injury during the Europa League defeat by Sporting Lisbon on March 16 when he landed awkwardly after contesting a header and had to be replaced midway through the first-half.
Having started every Prem game this season up to that point, he has now missed back-to-back 4-1 home wins against Crystal Palace and Leeds, with Rob Holding impressing as his deputy.
But Saliba’s absence is going to be sorely felt on Sunday as they look to preserve their eight-point lead at the top of the table.
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The Gunners have not won a League game at Anfield since September 2012, when Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla scored in a 2-0 victory and Arteta was a key figure in midfield.
Since then they have managed just one point from nine visits to Liverpool, conceding a shocking 34 goals in the process.
And Arteta knows he is going to need his strongest possible team if they are going to reverse that trend and maintain the momentum in the title race.
But while Holding is set to continue alongside Gabriel Magalheas on Sunday, Arteta is confident that Saliba will soon be available for selection again.
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He has already ruled out suggestions that the £27million stopper needs surgery but admitted: “Back injuries are tricky but William and the medical staff are positive about it and he is so willing to be back in the team.”
After travelling to Liverpool at the weekend, Arsenal take on struggling West Ham and Southampton.
The Gunners then travel to title rivals Manchester City in a huge clash, before hosting Chelsea at the Emirates three days later.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
