Arsenal have suffered a blow in their hopes to bring back William Saliba from injury after the centre-back was absent from training on Tuesday.
Arsenal news, exclusives and analysis
Saliba has missed Arsenal’s last three Premier League matches after picking up a back problem in the club’s Europa League exit to Sporting Lisbon.
The 22-year-old France international has been a key player for Mikel Arteta’s side this term having formed an impressive partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes.
The Gunners, top of the Premier League table, are desperate for Saliba to return as they continue their attempts to lift their first top-flight trophy since 2004.
Arsenal are currently six points clear of second-placed Manchester City but Pep Guardiola’s team have a game in hand and are still due to host them at the Etihad.
Rob Holding has come into the side as Saliba’s replacement but Roy Keane has warned that the Englishman is too slow and is a weak link in the Arsenal defence.
Holding gave away a penalty in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool last time out and there was hope that Saliba could return for Sunday’s clash against West Ham.
But it now seems that the Frenchman will remain unavailable for the fourth Premier League game in a row.
Arsenal have been handed an injury boost over striker Eddie Nketiah, though, after the Englishman took part in training on Tuesday.
Nketiah has missed Arsenal’s last five top-flight matches with an ankle problem but he will now bolster Arteta’s attacking options for the last eight games.
The 23-year-old has registered nine goals and two assists this season but now will have to battle Gabriel Jesus for game time after the Brazilian returned from injury.
Jesus scored in the draw at Anfield on Sunday following his double in the 4-1 victory over Leeds United the week before.
MORE : Ian Wright identifies the four games that will determine Arsenal’s title fate
MORE : Chris Sutton claims Mikel Arteta will be ‘furious’ with Arsenal star after Liverpool draw
