Arsenal defensive file with and with out William Saliba

Mikel Arteta, Gabriel Magalhaes, and William Saliba (Photograph by Ryan Pierse, Justin Setterfield/Getty Pictures)

Arsenal have had a lot of harm issues which have damage them this season, with Bukayo Saka maybe essentially the most notable one, although there’s arguably an much more necessary participant of their facet that they will’t afford to be with out.

That participant is William Saliba, with the French centre-back proving an absolute colossus for the Gunners since coming back from a lot of mortgage spells to turn out to be a first-team common within the 2022/23 season.

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Since then, Arsenal concede on common lower than a purpose per sport when Saliba performs, in comparison with just below two targets per sport when he’s out of the crew – a exceptional distinction that might be giving Mikel Arteta an enormous headache…

0.8 – Because the begin of 2022-23, Arsenal have conceded 0.8 targets per Premier League sport when William Saliba has performed (85 matches), in comparison with 1.7 per sport when he hasn’t featured (13 matches). Integral. pic.twitter.com/6DT8ybbOQA

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 18, 2025

Saliba is clearly among the finest defenders on the planet and was missed for Arsenal yesterday after they conceded two pretty sloppy targets towards Aston Villa.

AFC had been 2-0 up, however let that lead slip, drawing 2-2 at dwelling to Villa and doubtlessly falling out of the title race after Liverpool’s late win away to Brentford.

Arsenal want William Saliba again as quickly as potential

It’s not but clear how severe Saliba’s harm is, or how lengthy he’ll be out for, however Arsenal have to hope they’ve higher luck with him than they’ve had with Saka, who is just not wanting near a return any time quickly.

Gabriel Magalhaes can also be a world class centre-back, however his partnership with Saliba is vital, with others like Jurrien Timber or Jakub Kiwior simply not fairly on the identical excessive normal in that place.

William Saliba in motion for Arsenal (Photograph by Alex Pantling/Getty Pictures)

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Arsenal have additionally had Martin Odegaard out this season, with the Norway worldwide lacking a number of video games earlier within the marketing campaign and never wanting fairly as spectacular since coming again.

Gabriel Jesus can also be absolutely out for the remainder of the season, whereas Ben White is one other huge identify who’s missed a number of video games.

If Saliba can return quickly, then it may very well be an enormous enhance for Arsenal, but when this finally ends up being one other severe harm then it may very well be season-defining.