William Saliba was forced off early during Arsenals defeat to Liverpool and the defender could be out of action for up to a month, according to sources in France
23:47, 07 Sep 2025
William Saliba
William Saliba could miss a month of action(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal have been handed a devastating blow after William Saliba was sidelined for three to four weeks, according to sources in France. The centre-back was withdrawn from the pitch just minutes into the Gunners' loss to Liverpool.
Saliba hobbled off with an ankle problem before withdrawing from international duty with Les Bleus. The 24-yea- old could now face a month on the sidelines as Arsenal look to bounce back and Champions League action kicks off after the international break.
Earlier this week, a statement from the French national squad confirmed: "William Saliba, who started for Arsenal against Liverpool on Sunday, was forced off in the fifth minute. He will not be able to honour his call-up for the first training camp of the season. He is suffering from a sprained left ankle.
William Saliba
William Saliba could miss a month of action(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
"After a discussion with Franck Le Gall, the French team doctor, Didier Deschamps confirmed the unavailability of William Saliba. The national coach has decided to call up Benjamin Pavard as a reinforcement."
Saliba is expected to be absent for fixtures against Nottingham Forest, Athletic Bilbao, Manchester City and a Carabao Cup clash with Port Vale.
Should the Arsenal defender face the longer end of the recovery timeline, he will also miss encounters with Newcastle and Olympiacos and West Ham United.
Summer acquisition Cristhian Mosquera, 21, entered from the substitutes' bench to take Saliba's place against Liverpool. The Spanish defender was recruited from Valencia for a modest £13million, reports the Mirror.
Mikel Arteta secured additional defensive cover on transfer deadline day with the acquisition of Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen. The 23-year-old joins on loan with the north London club holding an option to make the switch permanent next summer.
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Arteta was grateful to have Mosquera available after Saliba picked up his injury during the warm-up for the clash at Anfield. Saliba initially thought he would be able to continue for the match.
"He came in and he said he believed that he could carry on and play but straightaway in the first two actions I could see that he couldn't cope and we had to get him out, unfortunately," Arteta explained.
"But thank God we have Mosquera, which we put in for the first time in the Premier League, his debut[sic: Mosquera also came off the bench vs Leeds], not expecting it at Anfield and I think he was really, really good."