Arteta prior to the 4-1 loss against Premier League leaders, Man City had refused to confirm or deny if Saliba’s campaign was over
By Kehinde Okeowo
Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta has once again said French defender, William Saliba will not play a part in the derby game against their London rivals, Chelsea.
Saliba has not played for the Gunners since limping off during the Europa League round of 16 second leg tie against Sporting Lisbon in the middle of March at the Emirates Stadium.
He has subsequently missed the last six games in a row with a back injury and in his absence, Arsenal have drawn 3 of their last six games and lost one, conceding 13 goals in the process.
Conforming his absence during the pre-match press conference ahead of the Chelsea game on Tuesday night Arteta said: “He’s not going to be involved tomorrow.
“We will have to wait until the next game to see where we are.”
The Gunners after the Chelsea game will face Newcastle United away from home before wrapping up the campaign with a trip to the City Ground against Nottingham Forest which is sandwiched between welcoming Brighton and Wolves to the Emirates Stadium.
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When asked if Saliba will be able to feature in any of the remaining fixtures for the campaign ahead of the loss to Man City last week, Arteta refused to confirm or deny whether the France international has kicked his last ball this season.
He said: “At the moment we don’t have him. We are preparing for the game without him and probably the next game will come too soon as well.
“We have to go week by week at the moment.”
Man City leapfrogged Arsenal at the top of the table for the first time since February after edging past Fulham on Sunday.
And with tricky fixtures against Newcastle, Brighton and Nottingham Forest to come after the Chelsea game, the Gunners will be hoping Saliba is not out for the rest of the season.