Arsenal star William Saliba major doubt for Liverpool game

Arsenal defender William Saliba is a major doubt for the Liverpool game on Sunday

According to Evening Standard, Arsenal centre-back William Saliba is a major doubt for the Liverpool game this Sunday as his back issue continues.

The Frenchman picked up the injury during the second leg of the Europa League last-16 tie against Sporting three weeks ago.

Arsenal remain vague in providing the timeline for his return, unlike fellow defender Takehiro Tomiyasu who has been ruled out for the rest of this season.

William Saliba in action for Arsenal during their 3-0 win against Brentford. — William Saliba is a major doubt for the game against Liverpool this Sunday. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Saliba is yet to return to training this week and remains a doubt for the trip to Anfield this weekend. The Gunners should be favourites to win that even without the 22-year-old.

How the tables have turned compared to last season! Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal go into this game 29 points ahead of Liverpool. They are probably the favourites to lift the Premier League title as well.

The Reds, on the other hand, have had a fall from grace. After achieving the near impossible last season, the performances have been inconsistent and dire since August. The World Cup break did not help matters despite most key players not going to Qatar.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 04: Juergen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge on April 04, 2023 in London, England. — Jurgen Klopp’s team go into the game against Arsenal as clear underdogs (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

In the last few years, Liverpool have had an upper hand over Arsenal, especially at Anfield. But, for the first time in a while, we would see the Gunners going into this fixture as clear favourites.

With the season in its final stage, Arteta’s men might be looking at sending out a statement to everybody that they are deserved leaders of this league by winning at a tough place like Anfield.

What can we do in response? Well, we have run out of excuses now. Thiago Alcantara is expected to be fit for this game and must start. The key players who were “rested” for the Chelsea game should come back into the XI.