William Saliba missed the midweek win over Brentford (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta has confirmed William Saliba is an injury concern ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League game against Bournemouth this weekend.
The France international has regained his best form at the start of the new campaign having missed last season’s run-in with a back injury.
Minus the services of the imperious centre-half, Arsenal crumbled during the closing stages of season that promised so much, surrendering the title to Manchester City.
Saliba had been an ever-present up until the midweek Carabao Cup win over Brentford and Arteta is unsure whether he and Fabio Vieira, who aslo missed the 1-0 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium, will be available against the Cherries.
Arteta confirmed Saliba’s absence in midweek was ‘a knock’ and would know more about his and Vieira’s condition after Friday morning’s training session.
Fabio Vieira is also a doubt for the game at Bournemouth after he missed the midweek cup win at Brentford (Picture: Getty)
‘Willy had a knock, Fabio wasn’t involved,’ confirmed Arteta. ‘We have to assess them today.’
Asked why Arsenal’s injury crisis had escalated in recent weeks, Arteta said: ‘Different reasons. Some happen in training, some are knocks, some are very small muscular niggles.
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But as well the load coming from before the national team and then after the national team the load went through the roof and the demands continue to be really high.
‘The fact we had three or four out already didn’t give enough time to some of them to have the exposure they needed.’
‘It’s about now , it’s about Bournemouth which is the most important game of the season we have now,’ Arteta added when asked if next weekend’s game against Manchester City would impact his team selection tomorrow.
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