Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that William Saliba is still unavailable ahead of Sunday’s meeting with West Ham.
The Gunners will hope to take another step closer to their first Premier League title since 2004 in their trip to the London Stadium.
Arsenal are currently six points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, having played a game more than the reigning champions.
Arteta’s Gunners take on a Hammers side boosted by two wins and a draw from their last four Premier League game.
They last played on Thursday night, picking up a 1-1 draw in their Europa Conference League meeting with Gent.
Meanwhile, Arsenal will hope to bounce back after dropping two points in their 2-2 draw at Liverpool last time out.
However, Arteta will find himself without Saliba once again, as the Frenchman is still recovering from a back injury.
Saliba injured his back in Arsenal’s Europa League penalties defeat to Sporting CP in the last 16 of the competition.
He has been absent for the Gunners’ three league games since, the Gunners picking up two wins and a draw.
Arteta, speaking to the Arsenal media team ahead of Sunday’s trip across London, provided an update on Saliba.
“William is still not available,” he said.
“He’s progressing well and we are hopeful we’ll have him available in the next few weeks, but we’ll have to see.
“He’s not far from starting to do that [return to training].
“Obviously we need to be cautious because of the injury, but he’s evolving well.”
Our view
Not great news for Arsenal as the title race approaches the home straight.
Saliba has been “absolutely fantastic” for the Gunners this season.
Indeed, he is one of the most influential players they have at present, and a main reason they’re top.
By the sounds of it, Arteta won’t risk putting Saliba into the starting XI once he’s fit again.
Hopefully the 21-year-old return to fitness quickly and can help Arsenal get over the line in the coming weeks.
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