Arsenal have been dealt a serious blow in their challenge for the Premier League title. William Saliba, a fulcrum of the side that has climbed to the league’s summit and opened up an eight-point gap to Manchester City, has a back injury that he suffered against Sporting CP.
Mikel Arteta was asked ahead of the game with Leeds United for an update on the Frenchman. Despite speculation about the location of the problem, it has indeed been confirmed to be his back, but the Spaniard confirmed that they’re intending to push Saliba to get game time despite it.
“He is progressing unfortunately he still has some discomfort in his back,” Mikel Arteta said. “He’s not going to be fit for this game and we’re trying to do everything to feel better. But not yet.”
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"Yeah I am very hopeful and he is as well," he replied when asked if the Frenchman would play again this season. "Back injuries are a bit tricky and how they evolve with the load that you put as well in certain areas.
"But, he’s very positive about it, the medical staff are positive about it. Let’s push it every day a little bit and see how he can cope with that and how the pain develops. He’s so willing to be back in the team."
With Saliba out, as was seen against Crystal Palace, Rob Holding looks the player of choice from Mikel Arteta to replace the Frenchman. Takehiro Tomiyasu’s season-ending knee surgery meant that Ben White couldn’t slot back into the right centre-back role.
Holding has had several high-profile big performances including in two FA Cup finals including Arteta’s 2020 win. However, he’s never been able to accrue enough confidence from supporters to see him as a starting-level player in the team.
Arsene Wenger famously questioned why no one wanted to focus on a then 20-year-old helping the Gunners keep a clean sheet at Premier League champions Leicester City in 2016. The quote stuck with the defender for some time and could come back at a pivotal point in this career.
"Unfortunately no one speaks about the performance of Rob Holding," Wenger said. "You should be happy, he is English and 20 years old.
"I am sorry he didn’t cost £55million, so he can’t be good. We don’t speak about the performances anymore and I think that is not right."
Now falls the most important moment of Holding’s career so far. With Saliba absent, and a return date unknown, there’s potential for Holding to play the majority of the remaining games this season.
That includes trips to Anfield, St James’ Park and importantly the Etihad Stadium; barring, of course, an early return of Saliba. It is a chance for Holding to truly define himself as an Arsenal player and force some humble apologies come May.
Should the centre-half come in, play the majority of the games and contribute positively to a potential title victory there is no argument that usurps the position that Holding has proven himself to be a capable option to support the starting squad. Of course, he may not want this tagline either and search for more first-team football, in which case these games provide something of a shop window for him too.
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