**Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that William Saliba is still not ready to make his return from an ankle injury.**
Prior to the win over Nottingham Forest, Arteta had claimed that the centre-back was back in training, but speaking at the weekend, the Gunners boss said the Frenchman doesn’t feel like he’s fit enough to play quite yet:
“He trained yesterday, and he did the whole session, and he was OK. I spoke to him afterwards, and he said ‘I think I need a few more days’.”
“The turnaround has been too quick for the extent of the injury. When a player says that, don’t push it, and I think Mosquera was very, very good.”
Will Saliba feature against Athletic Bilbao?
--------------------------------------------
We will need to wait until Arteta’s pre-match press conference later on Monday for confirmation, but it does look like the 24-year-old could return to the matchday squad, at the very least.
As Arteta mentioned, Cristhian Mosquera performed well against Forest, as he did on his debut versus Liverpool last month, so there is no need to rush back Saliba.
Considering it is an early kickoff on Tuesday, and there is travelling involved, the defender may only make the bench.
Other Arsenal injury news
-------------------------
Reports suggest that Bukayo Saka [**could be back**](https://goonernews.com/blog/arsenal-injury-news-bukayo-saka-6/) for the clash against Manchester City next weekend. The winger is currently sidelined with the hamstring problem he sustained against Leeds.
Captain Martin Odegaard has re-injured his shoulder after landing awkwardly versus Forest. The Norwegian was forced off in the first half, and he is a doubt to face Athletic Club, along with Christian Norgaard, who has still not made a matchday squad this season.
Kai Havertz (knee) and Gabriel Jesus (ACL) have already been ruled out as they continue their rehabilitation from their respective injuries.
[**Read more about the Arsenal First Team Squad for 2025/26 here**](https://goonernews.com/blog/arsenal-first-team-squad/)