Arsenal's William Saliba has been filmed limping out of the stadium following the Gunners' 1-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield, although he appeared to signal that his issue was not overly serious.
The Frenchman and Gabriel Magalhaes reprised their effective partnership on Merseyside, seeking a third clean sheet from three Premier League games in the 2025-26 season following shut-outs against Leeds United and Manchester United.
However, Saliba's race was run after just five minutes, as the former Saint-Etienne starlet dropped to the turf shortly after coming off worse in a duel with compatriot Hugo Ekitike.
Summer signing Cristhian Mosquera came on to replace the stricken Saliba, who immediately headed down the tunnel to receive further assessment as Arsenal resumed their conservative performance.
Mosquera did himself proud in the backline, but the Gunners were eventually undone by a moment of individual brilliance, as Dominik Szoboszlai's astonishing free kick got the champions over the line late on.
Arsenal's Saliba gives thumbs-up when asked about injury
#AFC defender William Saliba gives a thumbs up when asked if he’s ok by @johncrossmirror pic.twitter.com/QpTqsue7Fe
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) August 31, 2025
Following the final whistle, Saliba was filmed walking through the mixed zone past journalists, and the 24-year-old was evidently struggling with an issue on his left leg as he made his way past the media.
Saliba did not stop to speak to any reporters, but when asked "how does it feel" by John Cross, the France international gave a quick nod and thumbs-up before disappearing around the corner.
Mikel Arteta revealed in his post-match press conference that Saliba had sustained the issue - a twisted ankle - in the warm-up, but he tried to power through in the opening exchanges before having to take his leave.
"He twisted his ankle during the warm-up, and he came in and he said he believed that he could carry on and play, but he strayed away in the first two actions," the Evening Standardquotes Arteta as saying.
"I could see that he couldn’t cope and we had to get him out, unfortunately. But thanks God we have Mosquera, which we put in for the first time in the Premier League, his debut, not expecting it at Anfield and I think he was really, really good."
Could Saliba miss any matches for Arsenal?
Arsenal's William Saliba pictured on December 27, 2024
Ankle sprains are no joke, but the fact that Saliba was initially able to play through the pain and then walk away from the stadium without crutches suggests that the problem is not serious.
The 24-year-old is due to link up with the France squad this week for their World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland, although Gooners will no doubt be desperate to see Saliba withdraw from his national team and return to London Colney for treatment.
Whether their wish is granted remains to be seen, but Saliba is unlikely to be out for a sustained period of time with the issue and may even be ready to take on Nottingham Forest on September 13 following the international break.
However, Mosquera has already proven himself to be a competent replacement for the Frenchman, while Ben White could also return from a knock after the hiatus to provide Arteta with another central alternative.
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