In a cruel twist at Anfield, William Saliba was forced off just five minutes into Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Liverpool. Despite starting the match, the defender could not continue after twisting his left ankle during pre-match warm-ups.
What Went Wrong
- Twist in the warm-up: Manager Mikel Arteta revealed Saliba had “twisted his ankle” before kickoff. Although he was given the go-ahead to start, it was quickly apparent in his first two defensive actions that he couldn’t cope with the discomfort, leading to his early withdrawal.
- Replaced immediately: Young summer signing Cristhian Mosquera stepped in and made his Premier League debut under intense pressure at Anfield.
Broader Implications
Club Setback
Arsenal’s squad is grappling with a mounting injury crisis. Saliba’s early exit piled more urgency onto an already fragile defense, compounded by absences of other key players like Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus.
International Blow
Saliba has also been withdrawn from France’s upcoming matches. As a result, Benjamin Pavard has been called up to fill the defensive void.
Return Timeline Uncertain
Early estimates suggest Saliba may be sidelined for two to six weeks, depending on the severity of the sprain:
- A mild ankle sprain could see him back within 2–3 weeks.
- A more serious sprain might delay his return until early October.
In the most optimistic scenario, he could be available for Arsenal’s next home fixture against Nottingham Forest on September 13.
Quick Summary Table
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Injury | Twisted left ankle during warm-up; forced off after ~5 minutes |
| Replacement | Cristhian Mosquera took over at center-back |
| Expected Lay-off | 2–6 weeks depending on sprain severity |
| Club Impact | Adds strain amid wider injury crisis |
| International Impact | Removed from France squad; replaced by Benjamin Pavard |
| Earliest Possible Return | Around September 13 (vs Nottingham Forest) |
