Arsenal injury latest: William Saliba, Gabriel and more | OneFootball

Arsenal injury latest as defensive absences test title aspirations

Arsenal’s winter calendar was always going to demand resilience, yet few expected their defensive foundations to be tested quite so abruptly. The absence of William Saliba from Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea became the latest example of how quickly stability can unravel when the fixture list offers little space for recovery or reflection.

The French defender was expected to start as usual at Stamford Bridge, only to be omitted entirely from the matchday squad in a surprise that rippled across social media. Within hours, Arsenal confirmed that Saliba had picked up a training knock on Saturday, leaving Mikel Arteta without his most reliable centre half, while already coping without regular partner Gabriel. That combination forced summer recruits Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie into an emergency partnership for a demanding afternoon against a Chelsea side reduced to 10 men.

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The circumstances were hardly ideal for maintaining momentum at the top of the Premier League table. Saliba and Gabriel have formed the structural backbone of Arsenal’s recent defensive progress, their understanding providing calm in moments of pressure. Remove both simultaneously and the balance of the side shifts noticeably, with improvised pairings struggling to replicate the same authority.

Arteta will hope that such improvisation remains short lived. After a taxing run of fixtures against Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, the league leaders barely pause for breath. Brentford, Aston Villa, Club Brugge, Wolves, Everton and Crystal Palace all loom before Christmas, matches that allow little room for further disruption to selection planning.

There were encouraging notes at Stamford Bridge. Star striker Viktor Gyokeres made his return from a hamstring problem off the bench. Gabriel Jesus was named in the squad for the first time since January. Captain Martin Odegaard added more substitute minutes following his own recent absence. These gradual reinforcements, however, sit awkwardly alongside continued uncertainty in defence and out wide.

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Below is the full Arsenal injury latest ahead of Wednesday night’s all London encounter with Brentford at the Emirates Stadium.

William Saliba assessment ongoing

The sight of Saliba missing from the team sheet on Sunday stunned supporters, and the club’s explanation only deepened curiosity. Arsenal wrote on social media: “William Saliba misses out after a knock in training.”

Arteta offered no firm diagnosis either before or after the Chelsea match, instead emphasising that further medical evaluation was required before clarity could emerge.

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“I think he has another test tomorrow to see the extent of that feeling, that sensation that he had, then we’ll know more,” Arteta said.

With defensive stability now directly tied to medical outcomes, uncertainty itself becomes part of the problem. Brentford and Aston Villa pose contrasting tests, one defined by aerial pressure, the other by movement between the lines, and both would ideally be met with Arsenal’s established centre back pairing in place.

For now, Saliba’s availability remains the single most pivotal question shaping the immediate team picture.

Potential return date: Unknown, pending further assessment

Gabriel recovery still weeks away

Saliba’s unexpected omission felt heavier because of Gabriel’s continued absence. The Brazilian defender sustained an adductor injury while representing his country in a friendly against Senegal at the Emirates last month. Initial estimates placed his recovery period in the region of weeks rather than days, an assessment that still holds.

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Gabriel was scheduled for additional scans to define his rehabilitation timeline, and following Sunday’s draw, Arteta indicated that a swift return cannot be expected.

“With Gabi, there are still some weeks to go,” he said.

The prolonged absence underlines a recurring issue Arsenal face each season. Key defenders often shoulder relentless minutes until the body intervenes. Rotation options then become necessity rather than choice, introducing variables that complicate tactical continuity just as the title race tightens.

Potential return date: December or January

Leandro Trossard nearing contention

Before Saliba’s training injury emerged, the most pressing concern surrounded Leandro Trossard. The Belgian winger suffered a muscle issue during the first half of the Champions League victory over Bayern Munich, a statement 3-1 win that combined flair with authority.

Arteta expressed optimism on Friday that Trossard could recover in time to feature at Stamford Bridge, although the winger ultimately missed out.

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“Yeah, with Leo there’s another test today, we have to see how he’s feeling,” Arteta said.

“It doesn’t look much, so we still have a few hours and we’ll have to see, it’s a potential chance (that he will be available).”

No further update followed the Chelsea fixture, yet the proximity to selection suggests that the problem is not severe. Arsenal will expect the winger to push hard for inclusion against Brentford, especially with limited width options currently at Arteta’s disposal.

Potential return date: Wednesday December 3, vs Brentford (H)

Kai Havertz moving closer to comeback

Kai Havertz remains the final piece in Arsenal’s injury jigsaw. The forward has been sidelined since knee surgery following an issue sustained against Manchester United on the opening weekend of the season. His absence has narrowed attacking solutions, even as Gyokeres and Jesus edge back toward regular involvement.

Arteta acknowledged on Friday that Havertz’s return was drawing nearer.

“Not yet, but they are getting closer and closer, so we are very positive with both of them,” Arteta said. “The good thing is that now we find another option.

“We lost a player, two or three, we lost at some point six players in the front line, and the team continued to win and be very, very efficient, so I think that’s very positive.”

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Whether Havertz can feature midweek or must wait until the Aston Villa trip remains open, but his looming return offers vital flexibility as the calendar compresses.

Potential return date: Wednesday December 3, vs Brentford (H) or Saturday December 6, vs Aston Villa (A)

Defensive uncertainty continues to shadow Arsenal’s position at the summit. Each medical update now carries disproportionate weight, not merely shaping the starting XI but defining how boldly Arteta can approach the run to Christmas.