Arsenal confident William Saliba will be fit for Chelsea clash despite injury
Arsenal are confident William Saliba will be fit for their clash against Chelsea following the international break despite pulling out of the France squad with an injury.
Saliba played the full 90 minutes in Sunday’s victory over Manchester City, turning in an excellent display up against Erling Haaland at the Emirates. Shortly after full-time, the French Football Federation announced the defender had been withdrawn from Didier Deschamps squad for games against Netherlands and Scotland due to a ‘chronic’ toe injury.
The Evening Standard report Saliba did not pick up the injury at the weekend and has been managing it for a number of weeks. The report claims Saliba expects to be ready for the visit to Stamford Bridge on Saturday 21 October.
Other Arsenal players to remain at club during international break
He will be one of a number of Arsenal players remaining in north London during the international break to recover from fitness issues. Bukayo Saka has withdrawn from the England squad having missed Sunday’s win over City.
Mikel Arteta insisted in his post-match press conference the winger would not be involved in the double header against Australia and Italy with England confirming his withdrawal from the squad on Monday. ‘It was decided that the player would continue his rehabilitation at his club,’ the FA said. ‘No replacements are planned.’
Leandro Trossard meanwhile was replaced at half-time on Sunday with a knock. He has since withdrawn from the Belgium squad.
Gabriel Martinelli, who came off the bench to replace Trossard and score the winner at the weekend, is another who will remain at the club to work on his fitness having missed five games prior to Sunday, not selected for Brazil’s upcoming matches.