Mikel Arteta Provides Injury Update on William Saliba After Early Substitution Against Liverpool

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has offered reassurance regarding William Saliba’s condition after the defender was forced off just minutes into Sunday’s Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield.

Saliba, a cornerstone of Arsenal’s backline, appeared to twist his ankle during the warm-up and was substituted inside the opening five minutes of the match. The French international landed awkwardly following an aerial duel with Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike and signaled to the bench that he could not continue. He was replaced by summer signing Cristhian Mosquera.

Despite the early setback, Arteta downplayed fears of a long-term injury. “He twisted his ankle during the warm-up. He came in and believed he could carry on,” Arteta said in his post-match comments.

The incident adds to Arsenal’s growing list of injury concerns, with Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz already sidelined and captain Martin Ødegaard only fit enough for the bench. Nevertheless, Mosquera’s composed performance offered a silver lining in an otherwise frustrating afternoon for the Gunners, who fell 1–0 to a stunning 32-yard free kick from Dominik Szoboszlai.

Arteta is expected to provide further clarity on Saliba’s prognosis in the coming days as Arsenal prepare for a demanding stretch of fixtures.