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Arsenal will be without defender William Saliba for their final Premier League game of the season against Southampton, as the Frenchman joins Jurrien Timber on the injury list.
Saliba was forced off at half-time during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United last weekend due to a hamstring issue. Manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the injury will rule him out for “a few weeks,” meaning the centre-back will miss Sunday’s trip to already-relegated Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium.
Speaking to Premier League World TV, Arteta said: “William is going to be out for a few weeks, unfortunately. He pulled his hamstring against Newcastle, so he’s going to be out for a few weeks.”
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta provides injury update on Jurrien Timber following ankle surgery
The setback could also put Saliba’s participation in France’s UEFA Nations League Finals campaign in doubt. Didier Deschamps’s side face Spain in the semi-finals on June 5 in Stuttgart, with the winner advancing to face either Germany or Portugal in the final three days later.
William Saliba (Image credit: Getty Images)Meanwhile, Timber underwent ankle surgery earlier this week after playing through discomfort for much of the season. Arsenal remain hopeful that the Dutch international will recover in time for the start of pre-season.
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“Jurrien had surgery yesterday on his ankle, so he’ll be out for a few weeks as well,” Arteta added.
The injuries leave Arsenal short at the back, with Gabriel also sidelined since early April due to a more serious hamstring injury. As a result, Ben White is expected to continue at right-back, while Riccardo Calafiori is likely to partner Jakub Kiwior in central defence after impressing as Saliba’s replacement against Newcastle.
Despite the defensive setbacks, Arsenal’s win over Newcastle has secured their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. Second place in the league is virtually assured, with only a defeat to Southampton and an extraordinary goal-difference swing able to dislodge them.
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