Arsenal star William Saliba has been absent for a number of weeks now due to a back injury he sustained as the Gunners' crashed out of the Europa League last month. Mikel Arteta admitted the Frenchman has not progressed in his recovery as quickly as the club had hoped whilst Arsenal continue their Premier League title challenge.
Saliba has missed the last five fixtures for the Gunners with Rob Holding deputising alongside Gabriel Magalhaes in his absence. Arteta's side have conceded 11 goals in their last four Premier League fixtures as they now find themselves under serious pressure from Manchester City at the top of the table.
A devastating 4-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium earlier this week has left Arsenal just two points clear of the reigning champions with five games left to play. Champions League football will return to the Emirates Stadium next term and sporting director Edu Gaspar has been urged to improve the squad drastically to maintain the Gunners' upwards trajectory and cement themselves as title challengers for years to come.
