Arsenal will look to secure their fourth consecutive Premier League win when they face Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium
William Saliba during an Arsenal game
William Saliba misses Arsenal's clash with Brentford through illness(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirmed that William Saliba will miss the Premier League match against Brentford through illness, forcing the Frenchman to withdraw from the matchday squad. Speaking to Premier League Productions, the Gunners boss said: "This morning Wilo wasn't feeling good so he's ill. He's at home, just short-term."
Arteta also gave an update on Kai Havertz, adding: "After the game we played against Sunderland, Kai felt a little niggle, so we need to wait and see how long he will be out."
Saliba trained at the Sobha Realty Training Centre earlier this week but has since fallen ill and been replaced by Cristhian Mosquera in the starting XI to face Brentford. Since returning from injury in December, the 24-year-old has started 10 successive league games.
He is one of four changes to the side that defeated Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium last weekend while Piero Hincapie, Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze have also been handed starts.
Eze has been included in the starting lineup, making his 13th start for the Gunners.
"He's played a lot of games, obviously, and he has the qualities to decide a game against any opponent," Arteta said of Eze.
"He's had more minutes recently and he deserves to play."
Arteta has also been boosted by the returns of captain Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka. Both are fit enough to take a place on the bench after recovering from injury.
Arsenal head to the Gtech Community Stadium looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points.
Manchester City closed the gap to three on Wednesday night with a 3-0 win over Fulham, and Arsenal now look to respond.