The games William Saliba could miss with hamstring injury

  • William Saliba picked up minor hamstring injury in North London Derby
  • Mikel Arteta has provided positive update on recovery
  • Gunners will want Saliba available for Man City's visit
William Saliba picked up a hamstring injury in Arsenal's North London Derby win over Tottenham
William Saliba picked up a hamstring injury in Arsenal's North London Derby win over Tottenham | Alex Pantling/GettyImages

You know, I reckon it's the reduced availability of Arsenal's best players which has led to their stagnation this season.

Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and William Saliba did an excellent job of avoiding notable injury setbacks last term, but all three have caught the bug in 2024/25. Mikel Arteta leant too much on his side's physical prowess during Odegaard's two-month absence, but we haven't seen enough of the skipper since Saka tore his hamstring before Christmas.

Fortunately, the club's strength in depth in defence and midfield has made sure of no collapse, but the inability to hold onto leads and turn draws into wins means the goals set out before the season got underway now look relatively distant. This hasn't been the campaign many envisaged, that's for sure.

Saliba's hamstring injury sustained in the North London Derby win saw him miss Saturday's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa. Arteta expressed concern over the Frenchman's status after Villa pegged the Gunners back at the Emirates, but has since supplied a positive update. "Saliba is evolving well," he said on Tuesday.

To remain in contention across multiple fronts, Arsenal can ill afford to go without their superstar centre-half for much longer. Here are the games Saliba is expected to miss.


Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb

Fabio Cannavaro
Fabio Cannavaro was appointed Dinamo Zagreb manager at the end of December | Ivan Romano/GettyImages

Arteta's confirmed that Wednesday's Champions League game will arrive too early for Saliba. However, there must be a reshuffle in defence after Thomas Partey's struggles at the weekend. Jakub Kiwior should come back in.

Dinamo Zagreb are led by Fabio Cannavaro having disposed of two managers amid a tumultuous campaign which will likely end in the absence of the Croatian title. Bruno Petkovic, the experienced forward, is also a doubt for the fixture, so we shouldn't expect the Gunners to have many issues on home soil as they aim to secure their place in the round of 16.


Wolves vs Arsenal

Matheus Cunha, William Saliba
Saliba would've fancied feasting from set pieces against Wolves | Julian Finney/GettyImages

The Matheus Cunha situation is an interesting sub-plot to keep an eye on heading into this fixture. Cunha, who's been linked with a move to Arsenal, is yet to pen a contract extension at Molineux and wasn't best pleased throughout and after Wolves' defeat at Chelsea on Monday night.

The Brazilian has a key role to play in damaging Arsenal's title chances further this weekend, and he may well be lining up against a Saliba-less defence in the West Midlands. However, Wolves are the worst team in the division at defending set-pieces, so the Gunners shouldn't worry too much about Cunha's status.

A couple of corners should do the trick.


Girona vs Arsenal

Mohamed Salah
Liverpool struggled at Girona in December | Eric Alonso/GettyImages

Arsenal are comfortable favourites against Dinamo Zagreb, and they may well be in a position where they have nothing to play for against Girona on the final league phase matchday. The Gunners are playing for a top-eight finish which means they avoid playing two extra play-off games.

If Arsenal were able to secure their top-eight status before Matchday 8, Saliba surely wouldn't be considered for the trip to Catalonia. Even if something is at stake, you'd expect this Arsenal team to have too much for Girona - despite their performance against Liverpool on Matchday 6.


Arsenal vs Man City

Erling Haaland, Gabriel, William Saliba
Arsenal are hopeful of Saliba returning for Man City's visit | Michael Regan/GettyImages

Initial reports suggested Saliba could be out for a couple of weeks, with this crunch Premier League clash earmarked as a potential return date.

Arteta is hopeful the French international will be available to rekindle his duel with Erling Haaland at the start of February, with the perennial champions hitting their goalscoring stride at the start of 2025.

Arsenal will survive without Saliba for their next three games, but I wouldn't fancy lining up against Haaland & Co in his absence.


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