Mikel Arteta refused to confirm that William Saliba would return for Arsenal before the end of the season after admitting the French defender's recovery is "not progressing as quickly as we hoped".
The centre-back has missed the last four Premier League games with a back injury - matches in which the Gunners have failed to keep a clean sheet. There was initial optimism that Saliba was edging towards a return after he was spotted in the gym at London Colney.
Meanwhile, reports claimed that the former Saint-Etienne starlet was willing to do all he could to return for the title run-in. However, Arteta has now confirmed that the Gunners will be without his services once more for Friday evening’s clash with struggling Southampton.
