Arsenal's Premier League title ambitions have suffered a significant setback following an injury to star defender William Saliba, with former Gunner Mikael Silvestre warning his absence could be decisive in the championship race.
Silvestre's Stark Warning for Arsenal
Speaking exclusively to football.london, former Arsenal centre-back Mikael Silvestre emphasised the colossal importance of his compatriot to Mikel Arteta's side. Silvestre, who made 46 appearances for the club, stated that having Saliba on the pitch is essential if Arsenal are to clinch the title.
"He's been in the Team of the Year two times in a row so it's no surprise to see he's the best centre-back, with Gabriel, in the Premier League," Silvestre said. "You want him on the pitch, for sure, for Arsenal to win the title."
He praised Saliba's rapid development into a leader, noting: "He's becoming a leader in the team, he's still young but because he started early at Arsenal, he's much stronger and much more ready for the Premier League. His influence in the backline is growing."
Chelsea Draw Highlights Defensive Crisis
The concern over Saliba's fitness was sharply felt during Arsenal's Premier League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The French international was a surprising omission from the starting lineup after feeling discomfort in training the day before.
His absence was compounded by the fact that defensive partner Gabriel is already sidelined with an injury picked up on international duty with Brazil. This forced Arteta to field a makeshift pairing of on-loan Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera.
Despite playing against ten men for almost an hour after Moises Caicedo's red card for a challenge on Mikel Merino, Arsenal failed to capitalise and were held to a frustrating draw, underlining the stability usually provided by Saliba.
Arteta's Assessment and Transfer Speculation
Addressing the media after the game, Mikel Arteta provided an update on Saliba's condition. "Yesterday in training he was uncomfortable, so we need to explore a little bit more what happened," the Arsenal manager revealed. He added, "I don't think it's something major, but enough not to be involved in the game."
Saliba's imperious form this season, following his key role in a crucial 3-1 Champions League victory over Bayern Munich, has not gone unnoticed across Europe. His performances have sparked significant transfer speculation, with Spanish giants Real Madrid reportedly considering a move to reinforce their own defence.
For now, Arsenal's immediate focus will be on managing his recovery. With the title race poised on a knife-edge, the fitness of their defensive linchpin could indeed prove to be the defining factor in their pursuit of Premier League glory.
