Tom Olver
Published December 2, 2025 10:04am
Updated December 2, 2025 10:48am
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William Saliba missed Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea through injury (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta has suggested William Saliba is still ‘a matter of days’ away from returning for Arsenal, placing the defender’s involvement against Brentford in serious doubt.
Saliba travelled with the rest of Arsenal’s squad to Stamford Bridge at the weekend and had been expected to make his seventh straight start in the Premier League.
But the visitors sprung a big surprise as Saliba was left out of Arteta’s XI to take on title rivals Chelsea. It subsequently came to light that the 24-year-old France international had sustained a knock in training in the build-up.
The Gunners were already without Gabriel Magalhaes for Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash, with the Brazilian nursing a thigh problem and still ‘some weeks’ from his return to first-team action.
In their place, Arteta opted for a new-look centre-back pairing of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie, who both completed moves to Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
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While Mosquera and Hincapie performed admirably in the 1-1 draw given the circumstances, Saliba’s importance to Arsenal’s aspirations this season – especially with Gabriel missing – means fans have been anxiously awaiting updates on the Frenchman’s fitness.
In late August, Saliba was forced off the field with an ankle sprain just five minutes into Arsenal’s one and only defeat of the season away to Liverpool. He did not feature in the club’s next two game against Nottingham Forest and Athletic Bilbao.
Mosquera and Hincapie were given the nod at centre-back against Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
Gabriel is still ‘some weeks’ from his expected return (Picture: Getty)
‘I am not going to be able to help you much today. We have another training session later today,’ Arteta told reporters when pressed for an update on Saliba on Tuesday morning.
‘He had a little niggle. I think it is going to be a matter of days.’
On Saliba’s injury concerns this season, the Spaniard continued: ‘The ankle one, it was really random and unlucky. He tried at Anfield and he had to stay away.
‘This one as well very bizarre, but hopefully it will be a matter of days.’
Trossard looks set to miss Arsenal’s clash with Brentford
Leandro Trossard also missed the derby after going down with a minor muscle problem during Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week.
Looking ahead to the Gunners’ clash with Brentford on Wednesday night, Arteta confirmed the Belgian forward was unlikely to be able to return in time to play a part.
However, the Arsenal boss had some positive news regarding the fitness of Kai Havertz, who has been sidelined with a serious knee injury since mid-August.
Havertz has made significant strides with his recovery (Picture: Getty)
A 30-minute substitute appearance in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Manchester United remains the German’s only involvement for the Premier League leaders this term.
‘A matter of weeks,’ Arteta said of Havertz’s rehabilitation.
Asked if Havertz could return before the end of the month, Arteta replied: I don’t know. He is doing really well, he did some stuff on the pitch, but he needs some time.’
Arsenal return to action at home to Brentford on Wednesday (Picture: Getty)
Arteta cannot wait to have Havertz back at his disposal again and believes it will come as a ‘massive boost’ to the entire squad.
‘Yeah, so he was doing everything, he could not go to the next level. We are all desperate to have him,’ Arteta went on.
‘He’s a player I love so much for what he brings to the team. I see him suffer.
‘I think it’s going to be a massive boost for the team [when he returns].’
Arsenal have a gruelling schedule in the final few weeks of 2025, with games coming thick and fast both domestically and in Europe.
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But while his side are involved in a total of eight matches in all competitions before the turn of the year, Arteta is confident his players are up to the challenge.
‘There is a balance to that. Sometimes we play three days after, sometimes four,’ Arteta said of Arsenal’s hectic winter schedule.
‘We are used to it, we alter the preparation more physically.
‘We have to tweak what we do in relation to the opponents’ strengths and weaknesses.’
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