Injury Update Delivered on Key Arsenal Centre-Back | OneFootball

Arteta Gives Injury Update on Saliba After Early Substitution

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has offered a positive injury update on William Saliba after the defender was forced off in the opening minutes of the defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.

The centre-back was substituted inside five minutes, with Cristhian Mosquera coming on to make his Premier League debut in a high-pressure fixture. Saliba had been struggling with discomfort before kick-off but attempted to play through the issue.

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Saliba’s Early Setback

Arteta confirmed that Saliba sustained the injury in the warm-up. “He twisted his ankle during the warm-up,” Arteta said. “He came in and he said he believed that he could carry on and play but straightaway in the first two actions I could see that he couldn’t cope and we had to get him out, unfortunately.”

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The French defender was substituted after a collision with Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike and received treatment before returning to the bench to watch the remainder of the match.

Mosquera’s Surprise Introduction

Saliba’s early exit meant a sudden opportunity for Mosquera. Arteta praised the 21-year-old’s composure, adding: “But thank God we have Mosquera, which we put in for the first time in the Premier League, his debut, not expecting it at Anfield and I think he was really, really good.”

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Arsenal’s Focus Moving Forward

Arteta’s comments suggest Saliba’s injury is not a long-term concern, a relief for Arsenal given his importance at the heart of defence. The Gunners will now assess him ahead of upcoming fixtures, hoping to avoid further disruption in a key period of the season.