William Saliba injury: Arsenal dealt huge blow minutes into Liverpool title clash | OneFootball

More injury concerns for Mikel Arteta

Injured: William Saliba

Getty Images

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Arsenal’s injury woes worsened at Liverpool after William Saliba was forced off inside the opening five minutes of Sunday’s game.

The Frenchman immediately went down and signalled to the Arsenal bench that he was in need of treatment.

Saliba was forced to come off and he was replaced by summer signing Cristhian Mosquera in the heart of defence.

Arsenal have had a tough time with injuries in the early part of this season, with Bukayo Saka suffering a hamstring strain.

Saka is set to be out for four weeks or so, but the Gunners are also without Kai Havertz due to a knee issue.

The German underwent surgery earlier this week and is set for a spell on the sidelines, although it is hoped that he will not be a long-term absentee.

Saliba missed the end of last season with a hamstring issue, but returned to contention over the summer and appeared in several of the Gunners’ pre-season outings.

His latest injury comes with just over 24 hours remaining in the transfer window. Mosquera is the club’s only defensive signing of the summer thus far, joining from Valencia for £13m.

Still just 21 years old, it remains to be seen whether Arteta will trust him to fill Saliba’s place in the long term.

Piero Hincapie is also due to join from Bayer Leverkusen before the window closes on loan with an option to buy for £45m.

The 23-year-old Ecuadorian is able to play as both a full-back and a centre-back.