Fit for the title decider? Arsenal given HUGE injury boost

Tom Weber

• Updated: 19 Apr 2023 12:36 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal have received a promising injury update ahead of their potentially title-deciding fixture against Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta's men have had to make do with something of a makeshift defence ever since the side suffered a double injury blow in their Europa League round of 16 second-leg defeat to Sporting CP in mid-March. Takehiro Tomiyasu had to be substituted within the first ten minutes of that fixture, sustaining a season-ending knee injury.

William Saliba later followed suit, landing awkwardly on his lower back and being ruled out of action since. In the two players' absence, Gabriel Magalhaes has been partnered by Rob Holding and the Gunners' backline has looked anything but assured with the Englishman, not keeping a clean sheet in any of the four outings since the Sporting match.

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Indeed, without Saliba marshalling the defence, Arsenal have dropped points twice in those fixtures as they were unable to muster more than 2-2 draws against struggling Liverpool and relegation-threatened West Ham. Holding had previously been criticised by Gunners legend Emmanuel Petit as being 'too soft' for a defender.

Saliba back in training

Saliba's injury is a delicate matter because it could easily get aggravated. Arsenal have, therefore, been extremely cautious about providing a timeline about his potential return as the issue is a 'day-to-day' matter. Now, however, there are some good news.

The medical staff has been slowly easing the Frenchman back and he has now been spotted in the gym, which must give Gunners' fans hope that he will be fit in time for next week's must-win fixture against Manchester City, who are now only four points behind the league leaders after Arsenal's recent slump.

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While Saliba already featuring against Southampton on Friday appears unlikely, he may very well make his return against City. It would be a big boost to Arsenal's title hopes, but throwing a defender into the deep end against City after a lengthy spell on the sidelines could also backfire.