Injury blow: William Saliba came off at half-time with a hamstring issue
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed William Saliba was forced off against Newcastle due to a hamstring injury.
Saliba was subbed at half time on Sunday during the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Newcastle at Emirates Stadium.
The defender was replaced by Riccardo Calafiori and Arsenal went on to win the game thanks to a stunning goal by Declan Rice.
“I think he (Saliba) felt something in his hamstring in the first half, unfortunately, so we had to make the substitution,” said Arteta.
Arsenal have their final game of the season next week when they travel to Southampton.
Arteta’s side will head there with Champions League football already secured after beating Newcastle.
“We had a dream, I said it out there, it was to deliver a big trophy this season for our people, and because I think that the team deserves it, as well as the journey that we’ve been together in the last three or four years,” said Arteta.
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“We haven’t achieved that, and there are a lot of factors and a lot of situations that we’ve been through for the last nine and a half months, for that not happening.
“But make sure that we’re still valid. A lot of incredible things this club is doing, the team is doing, the players are doing, the way we are competing, and the consistency that we are showing.
“Because if we are not able to see that, that’s a really, really dangerous thing to do.
“Just expecting something, and playing if we don’t, that’s a really dangerous thing.
“And I know they don’t want us there, where we are now, knocking on the door every year, and make sure that we can see clarity, we stay very disciplined and very clear and ambitious with what we want to do in the summer.”
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