Arteta hints at Saliba’s readiness for Liverpool showdown

PREMIER LEAGUE Arteta hints at Saliba’s readiness for Liverpool showdown

Kiplagat Sang • 18:30 - 07.04.2023

The Frenchman has missed two of Arsenal’s league matches due to a back injury.

Mikel Arteta has hinted at William Saliba’s readiness for Arsenal's Premier League trip to Anfield on Sunday.

Saliba has been unavailable since he suffered a back injury during the Europa League match against Sporting Lisbon, consequently missing two league matches since.

Rob Holding, in Saliba’s absence, played when the Gunners registered back-to-back 4-1 wins over Crystal Palace and Leeds United.

"No, no real changes with the rest of the players that were still injured," Arteta said while giving Arsenal’s injury updates.

"We have some hope with one of them, who will maybe be able to train, but we'll see."

Only two players have been out; Saliba and Eddie Nketiah.

Arteta also spoke about the selection headache he faces with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard - with 22, 16, and eight Premier League goal involvements respectively – all available.

"It depends on the moment, what we want to do, the quality we are seeking, and the relationships that we want on certain days," he said when asked how he will make his selection for the Anfield clash.

"Then obviously you can make five changes [in the game], so you have the ability to change the game with those players, which is great for us.

"It’s much better to have that problem because at the moment they are all looking really good."

If Trossard is involved, the Belgian could become the first visiting player in Premier League history to score for two different teams at Anfield in the same season.

He scored a hat-trick for former club Brighton in October.

"It’s great to have a player that has experience with something really nice and positive from that stadium," Arteta added.

"He was a crucial player on that day, it was a beautiful game to watch, and that’s what we need; players with a lot of belief on that pitch, that we can go there and win it."