Arteta: Saliba injury ‘not as bad as first feared’

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has eased fears over William Saliba‘s hamstring injury, suggesting the French defender is not facing an extended absence. However, Saliba will miss Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Dinamo Zagreb as Arsenal aim to secure a place in the last 16.

Saliba, who sat out Arsenal’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Aston Villa on Saturday, is expected to return before the critical showdown with Manchester City on February 2.

“Yes, I hope so,” Arteta said when asked if Saliba would be fit for the City game. “He’s evolving well. The last few days he was feeling much better already, but this game comes a little bit too early for him.”

Arsenal currently sit third in the Champions League’s 36-team table, with the top eight progressing directly to the last 16. A win against Dinamo Zagreb would likely guarantee a top-eight finish with one game to spare before the Gunners’ trip to Girona.

“So far we’ve done really well; we’re in a really strong position,” said Arteta. “Now it’s time to capitalise at home on the work that we’ve done for many months.”

Injuries have hampered Arsenal’s attacking options, with Bukayo Saka sidelined until March after hamstring surgery and Gabriel Jesus ruled out for the season with an ACL tear.

Arteta acknowledged the challenges of reinforcing the squad amid transfer speculation but stressed his focus remains on the team’s immediate objectives.

“I understand it. It happens as well in the summer; I get a lot of people texting me, you’re after him and this and that, I don’t even know what they’re talking about,” Arteta said. “I don’t follow up too much; I have enough work to do with a lot of things, so I don’t get too distracted with it.”