Mikel Arteta has confirmed that William Saliba will not return from injury when Premier League leaders Arsenal face West Ham on Sunday.
Last time out, Arsenal dropped two crucial points in the title race at Liverpool, with goals from Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino capping a memorable comeback from the hosts in a 2-2 draw.
While Arsenal lead Manchester City by six points at the top of the table, they have not kept a clean sheet since defender Saliba was injured in last month’s Europa League penalty shootout defeat to Sporting CP.
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Saliba has missed Arsenal’s last three games due to a back injury and will be unavailable again on Sunday, but Arteta will have striker Eddie Nketiah available for the first time since March 1.
“William is still not available,” Arteta said.
“He’s progressing well and we are hopeful we’ll have him available in the next few weeks, but we’ll have to see.
“Eddie is back and is fully fit now.
“We want our players to be as fit as possible and available.
“We’ve had some issues, especially in the last few months with some important players.
“We just want to have everybody fit and available to help the team.”
Arsenal were not considered title contenders heading into the current season after finishing fourth to rivals Tottenham at the end of last season.
Arteta, on the other hand, will not let Arsenal rest on their laurels with only eight games separating them from their first league title since the 2003-04 season.
When asked if he anticipated a title challenge in the early stages of his tenure, Arteta replied, “Yes.” You take each day as it comes. A football club has a lot going on every single day, every month.
“The aim when I took the job was to bring the club back to where it belongs, fighting for and being around every single trophy that is possible at the highest level. That’s what we are trying to do.
“We are happy with where we are. Now we have to finish the job and demand an extra bit from everybody.”
Arsenal had won all five of their Premier League visits to fellow London clubs this season, by an aggregate score of 11-0, prior to their visit to the London Stadium.
The Gunners have only won a sixth consecutive London derby on the road twice in their league history, in February 1989 and March 2014.