Sue Smith claims the injury that William Saliba suffered contributed to Arsenal and Thomas Partey having a dip in form. The defender’s blow also came at a costly time.
Arsenal have been without Saliba since facing Sporting Lisbon in the second leg of their last 16 Europa League tie in March. Mikel Arteta had to replace the 22-year-old just 21 minutes into the tie. He has since sat out nine Premier League games with the back injury suffered.
It is likely that Saliba will not return this season as Arsenal’s term winds down with a trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday before hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers next Sunday. He had been an ever-present part of Arteta’s top-flight plans before the blow with 27 outings.
Saliba’s injury coincided with Arsenal’s title hopes falling away
Arsenal lost in just three Premier League games with Saliba featuring this season before his injury. They have since only managed to secure four wins and three draws to two defeats in the nine games the defender has missed. Arsenal have also conceded 17 goals in that spell.
Results going astray with Saliba on the sidelines has also seen Arsenal’s title hopes drop off. The Gunners now need a miracle to prevent Manchester City from lifting the top-flight title this term. Arteta’s team sat five points clear at the top after Saliba last played on March 12.
Smith notes how Saliba’s absence has hurt Partey’s performances
Smith also notes how Saliba’s injury has hurt Partey’s performances, plus Arsenal’s title bid. The 29-year-old had been an instrumental part of Arteta’s squad as the Gunners controlled the table. But his form has fallen off a cliff and cost the Ghanaian his starting role recently.
“They’ve had a dip in form at the wrong time,” Smith told Sky Sports News (20/5, 12:09). “I think missing Saliba, I think he’s been a huge loss for them. Not just his quality in obviously starting their play from the back [and] his quality defensively.
“[But] I think he’s had an impact on those players around him. Partey has been absolutely brilliant throughout the season [and] he’s had a dip off in form.”
Arteta benched Partey as Arsenal hosted Chelsea on May 2 having endured a nightmare at Manchester City the week before. The Citizens ran the Gunners’ £45m ex-Atletico Madrid anchor ragged at Etihad Stadium as Partey failed to protect Arsenal’s Saliba-less defence.
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