%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
2 Arsenal defenders ruled out for the remainder of the season
Arsenal’s title hopes have taken a dent with reports emerging that William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko will miss the rest of the season due to injuries.
The Gunners’ victory at St. James’ Park ensured they stayed in the title race for another week, but Man City still hold the advantage at the summit with just a few games remaining.
It’s been revealed on Thursday that Arsenal will have to navigate their three final games against Brighton, Nottingham Forest, and Wolves without two key defenders.
2 Arsenal defenders ruled out for the remainder of the season
🚨 Arsenal defenders William Saliba + Oleksandr Zinchenko out for rest of season. Saliba has not recovered sufficiently from back injury & Zinchenko picked up calf problem at Newcastle. Better news is neither expected to require surgery @TheAthleticFC #AFC https://t.co/hYY55WcnYr
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 11, 2023
The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that Saliba and Zinchenko will miss the rest of the 2022/23 season due to injuries.
Arsenal have been without revelatory centre-half Saliba since mid-March due to a lower back issue and his absence was hard-felt throughout April as the Gunners endured a four-game winless run. However, Jakub Kiwior has been introduced to the fold in their two recent outings and has impressed alongside Gabriel.
The Polish international will now be expected to remain in the starting XI for the rest of the campaign.
Zinchenko, meanwhile, has been similarly crucial in Arsenal’s stellar season thus far, with Mikel Arteta utilising him in a mightily effective hybrid function which has helped the Gunners reach another gear. However, his defensive shortcomings have manifested in recent weeks, and he was forced off on Sunday at Newcastle with a calf injury after the Magpies were beginning to have some joy down the Ukrainian’s flank.
Zinchenko’s calf problem means we won’t see him again this season, but Ornstein adds in his report that neither player will require surgery. Thus, both should be ready to go for pre-season in the summer.
With Zinchenko out, Kieran Tierney will get a rare starting gig. Some have clamoured for the Scot’s return to the fold after he impressed off the bench last Sunday. He’ll now get a couple of more opportunities to convince Arteta he’s worth having around for the 2023/24 season.