Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirmed that William Saliba came through a training session on Friday to prove his fitness ahead of the Premier League clash with Burnley
William Saliba at Turf Moor
William Saliba made it to Turf Moor for Arsenal's clash with Burnley
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirmed at Turf Moor that key defender William Saliba came through a training session on Friday to prove his fitness. The centre-back missed the Carabao Cup victory over Brighton in midweek due to injury.
Saliba sustained a knock to his ankle during last Sunday's 1-0 triumph over Crystal Palace. The Frenchman was forced to withdraw at half-time against Oliver Glasner's side, but the 24-year-old is back in Arsenal's starting XI for Saturday's Premier League encounter at Burnley.
Arteta has named an unchanged team from the one that defeated Palace last weekend, as Arsenal look to extend their lead to seven points over second-placed Bournemouth before the Cherries face Manchester City on Sunday.
Speaking before kick-off, Arteta confirmed that Saliba came through Friday's training session as he starts alongside Gabriel at centre-back for the Gunners.
"He was a doubt but he made it," the boss said.
"He trained yesterday and he's feeling well. We made changes in midweek but today we're back to the same team (as against Crystal Palace last week)."
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta has given an update on William Saliba
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Asked at Friday's pre-match press conference whether the message to his Arsenal team is to keep their foot on the gas off the back of eight consecutive wins, Arteta replied: "Yeah, and maintain the level of urgency, the concentration, the focus, ambition that we are showing every game. And every game brings different challenges.
"Sometimes we have to be very patient. Some of the times we have to have a different approach.
"And the game against Burnley is going to be really tough. They are extremely well-coached, under Scott and what he's done really well with the club and with this team.
"It's formidable and when you look at all the games, and I see five of the last games that they played, very, very tough team to beat."
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