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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed both William Saliba and Jurrien Timber will miss their side's final game of the season due to injury.
The pair will be absent from the Gunners' trip to Southampton on Sunday as they recover from respective issues. Arteta revealed Saliba picked up a hamstring injury in the 1-0 win over Newcastle, prompting a premature end to his 100th Premier League appearance for the club, which will keep him out for a few weeks. Earlier this week, Timber was reported to be undergoing surgery to fix an ankle problem and his manager confirmed this.
While Arsenal have secured qualification for the Champions League and all but confirmed a second-place finish, they will have likely been wanting to end the season with a win at St Mary's, but the loss of two key players to injury may knock those hopes.
William Saliba and Jurrien Timber to miss Arsenal's final game
Jurrien Timber already looked set to miss the final game following reports of his surgery and inconsistent fitness over the past few weeks, but to also be without William Saliba will come as a huge blow for Mikel Arteta.
Speaking to beIN Sports, Arteta said: "William is going to be out for a few weeks, unfortunately. He pulled his hamstring against Newcastle, so he's going to be out for a few weeks.
"Jurrien had surgery yesterday on his ankle, so he'll be out for a few weeks as well."
The absence of both means the Gunners will travel to Southampton with just one fit right-sided defender in the form of Ben White, who completed 90 minutes against Newcastle. Arteta will likely have to change some things around for the trip.
Riccardo Calafiori replaced Saliba against the Magpies, but Arteta may opt for a right footed player to occupy the role. White could move into the centre of defence alongside Jakub Kiwior, who is already filling in for the injured Gabriel, while Thomas Partey could shift to right back, a role he has played on numerous occasions this season.
Arsenal will be glad these injuries have come now however. While a win would be the ideal way to end the season, the game at St Mary's is effectively a dead rubber with the Gunners already securing a spot in the Champions League and Saints' relegation having been confirmed. Arteta is likely to play it safe with options he knows can fill in the roles, or he may capitalise on this as a chance to experiment with his side.