Mikel Arteta, Gabriel Magalhaes, and William Saliba (Photograph by Ryan Pierse, Justin Setterfield/Getty Pictures)
Arsenal have had various damage issues which have harm them this season, with Bukayo Saka maybe probably the most notable one, although there’s arguably an much more necessary participant of their facet that they’ll’t afford to be with out.
That participant is William Saliba, with the French centre-back proving an absolute colossus for the Gunners since getting back from various mortgage spells to change into a first-team common within the 2022/23 season.
Since then, Arsenal concede on common lower than a purpose per sport when Saliba performs, in comparison with slightly below two targets per sport when he’s out of the staff – a exceptional distinction that shall be giving Mikel Arteta a giant 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 top-of-the-line defenders on the earth and was missed for Arsenal yesterday after they conceded two pretty sloppy targets in opposition to Aston Villa.
AFC had been 2-0 up, however let that lead slip, drawing 2-2 at dwelling to Villa and probably 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 critical Saliba’s damage 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 just isn’t trying 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 similar excessive customary in that place.
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 trying fairly as spectacular since coming again.
Gabriel Jesus can also be certainly out for the remainder of the season, whereas Ben White is one other massive title who’s missed a number of video games.
If Saliba can return quickly, then it could possibly be a giant enhance for Arsenal, but when this finally ends up being one other critical damage then it could possibly be season-defining.
