Why Saliba misses Arsenal clash vs Brentford as Arteta blow explained | Football | Sport
Arsenal have been handed a blow ahead of their Premier League match against Brentford with defender William Saliba missing the match through illness. The Frenchman trained on Wednesday in preparation for the game, but has now been ruled out.
It will come as a blow to Mikel Arteta with Saliba starting 20 games in the Premier League so far this season. He has been replaced in the back line by summer signing Cristhian Mosquera.
Arsenal go into the match at the Gtech Community Stadium looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to six points. Man City closed the gap to three points on Wednesday night with a 3-0 win over Fulham, with Arsenal now looking to reply.
In better news for Arsenal, they have been boosted with the returns of club captain Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka. Both players are deemed fit enough to be named on the bench after returning from injuries.
Despite not being spotted in training in the build-up to the game, Leandro Trossard has been named in the starting XI, while Ben White, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga have all been named on the bench.
Arsenal are, however, without midfielder Mikel Merino and Max Dowman. Merino is continuing his recovery after undergoing surgery this week.
There is also no sign of Kai Havertz in the squad, with reports that he has suffered a muscle injury that will keep him out of action for several weeks.
Speaking ahead of the game, Arteta explained via Arsenal’s official X account: “This morning Wilo wasn’t feeling good so he’s ill, and he’s at home. Just short-term.”
On Havertz, he added: “After the game that we played against Sunderland, Kai felt a little niggle, so we need to wait and see how long he is going to be out for.”
Arsenal starting XI: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel, Piero Hincapie, Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard, Viktor Gyokeres.
Substitutes: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Christian Norgaard, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus.
