Arsenal receive injury scare ahead of match against Chelsea

Arsenal have been hit with an injury scare ahead of their highly anticipated match against Chelsea, as William Saliba has officially withdrawn from the France national team squad for the upcoming international break due to a toe injury. This news comes as a blow to Arsenal, who have heavily relied on Saliba’s defensive prowess in their successful start to the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.

Currently sitting in 2nd position on the Premier League table with 20 points, Arsenal have been in impressive form this season. Their most recent game was a thrilling encounter against Manchester City, which ended in a hard-fought 1-0 victory for the Gunners. However, their upcoming clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 21st October now poses a challenge with Saliba’s absence.

LENS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 03: William Saliba of Arsenal controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League match between RC Lens and Arsenal FC at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on October 03, 2023 in Lens, France. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The young French defender has been an integral part of Arsenal’s backline this season, starting in all of their Premier League games so far. His commanding presence and ability to read the game have played a significant role in Arsenal’s defensive solidity.

With Saliba sidelined due to his toe injury, manager Mikel Arteta will need to find a suitable replacement to fill the void left by the talented defender.

The international break provides some time for Saliba to recover from his injury and potentially return for Arsenal’s clash against Chelsea. However, it is crucial for Arteta and his coaching staff to carefully manage Saliba’s recovery process and ensure that he is fully fit before rushing him back into action.

In the meantime, Arsenal will need to rely on their squad depth and defensive options to cope with Saliba’s absence. The match against Chelsea promises to be a challenging test for Arteta’s side as they aim to maintain their strong start to the season and secure another crucial victory against one of their top rivals.