William Saliba is set to be out of action for the next two weeks and faces a race against time to be fit for Arsenal’s clash against Manchester City.
The Gunners’ superstar central defender missed Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, leaving Mikel Arteta ‘very worried’ over the Frenchman.
It has now emerged that Saliba – who has picked up a hamstring strain – will be out of action for the next two weeks, according to L’Equipe.
It means he has become a doubt for Arsenal’s massive Premier League showdown with Pep Guardiola’s champions at the Emirates, scheduled to take place in 14 days from today (January 19) on February 2.
Saliba is also set to miss Arsenal’s final two Champions League games against Dinamo Zagreb and Girona as well as their away Premier League match against Wolves on Saturday.
The update comes as a massive blow for the north Londoners in their quest to land the Premier League title for the first time in 21 years, given Saliba’s importance in the heart of Arsenal’s defence.
It also comes at a time when City appear to be hitting form, with Guardiola’s side thrashing Ipswich Town 6-0 on Sunday, a result which has moved them six points behind Arsenal in the table.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has gone as far to say that City cannot be ‘written off’ in the Premier League title race after their thumping win at Ipswich, despite their struggles earlier in the season.
‘The initial goal [for Man City] is to try and get up to that second spot,’ Schwarzer told the BBC. ‘That’s certainly within touching distance.
‘I don’t think you can rule Man City out, certainly to finish in the top two. I think the title may be out of reach but saying that, there’s still enough football to be played. I just don’t think you can write them off anything.
‘They’ve got the strength, they’ve got the ability, the know how and I think they can definitely finish in the top two.
‘They’re a top class side, there’s no doubt about it and they’re trying to find their way back to that form. Today was a good step in that direction.
‘Man City and Liverpool still have to play, so that could go in the favour of Man City. They would need to win that. But they would still need Liverpool to lose quite a few games between now and the end of the season.’
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