Arsenal defender, William Saliba has been immense in his first season at the club and has been one of the best Center Backs in the Premier League this season.
Alongside Gabriel Magalhães, they have kept the joint most clean sheets in the English top division this season and have the third best defensive record after 28 games into the season.
Their efforts also sees The Gunners lead the pack ahead of run-in, with their latest win over Crystal Palace taking them eight points clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
The performance of Saliba, who had been in the books at the club since 2019 has prompted Arsenal to want to tie him down on fresh terms, with his current deal set to end in 2024 after the activation of a year extension.
Reports earlier in the week suggested that the French defender will sign a new deal to continue his adventure at the club.
Several reports has it, the former Saint Etienne and Marseille man is happy with his time at Arsenal, though it took over three years before he made his official debut, it’s been a remarkable story so far.
Saliba missed Arsenal’s Premier League game for the first time this season when Mikel Arteta’s side hosted Crystal Palace just before the international break after sustaining a back injury in the Europa League shout-out loss to Sporting CP.
The injury forced him to withdraw from the French squad for the international games while reports revealed he has been ruled out for several weeks.
With tough games fast approaching for the league leaders, Saliba’s absence could be detrimental to their chances of getting their title push over the line and fans are beginning to wary and eager to learn his return date.
Saliba will likely miss the games after the international break, and away to Liverpool being one of those makes it a much bigger blow.
However, he should be in contention for the trip to the Ethiad to face Manchester City in what will be a decisive clash, which will go a long way in determining who comes away with the league title, come May.
Saliba will be out for the Leeds United game but with Arsenal yet to announce the length of his absence, a surprise might be awaiting fans at the end of the international break.
Nonetheless he is expected to sit out of the game with Leeds United.
Author : Kehinde Hassan Afolabi
1 Comment
Seliba absg