Arsenal's Premier League campaign won't end with silverware as many had hoped after setting an incredible pace in the first half of the season. The post-mortem has begun and there will be many explanations for the drop off in form late in the campaign, be it tangible or intangible.
However, many will often point to the same conclusion, being that the injury to William Saliba in the second leg of the Europa League tie with Sporting CP changed the course of the year. The youngster had impressed upon returning from his loan spell with Marseille, jumping straight into the team.
Mikel Arteta's eventual faith was repaid as the Frenchman's comfort on the ball and defensive awareness off of it helped transform the side - leading to comparisons to the impact Virgil van Dijk has had at Liverpool. His absence, and the following downturn in results, led to many claiming it was a huge reason for the drop.
