Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique Twitter Arsenal “need more than ever” William Saliba to win the Premier League after it was revealed he could be out for “weeks”.
The Arsenal centre-back faltered through the first half of his side’s marathon and drama-filled Europa League last-16 loss to Sporting Lisbon on Thursday night.
Well, that’s not great news for Arsenal’s loyal Premier League title chasers, as it could also be good for Liverpool after the international break.
A big positive is that the international break is just around the corner, so that will give Saliba the chance to rest and recover for the absolutely crucial game in Mikel Arteta’s side.
One of those will be the dreaded trip to Anfield on April 9 and if Saliba doesn’t return by then blood pressure levels in north London will rise by several notches and Jurgen Crowe Jurgen Klopp’s side, in their quest to secure a place in the Champions League, will have a lesser quality backline to target.
Only 12 months ago, Rob Holding had to come off the bench at full-back, including his indelible performance at Tottenham, where he was sent off, and fans hoped that had happened to him. Earth-shaking changes.
Still, reacting to worrying news about Saliba, here’s what Enrique had to say to the £27million star (Sky Sports)as he posted on social media.
“Hopefully the international break will help him get back as soon as possible because Arsenal need him more than ever to win the Premier League,” Enrique said.
Excellent season for Saliba
When Arteta first walked in the gate, he walked into a mess, with one of the club’s biggest problems being their flimsy, error-prone and unreliable defence.
To make matters worse, veterans from David Luiz to Mustafi were at the heart of the matter, so calls from fans to give rising stars and youngster William Saliba a chance were ignored by Arteta.
Well, Arteta’s treatment of the young Frenchman has been brilliant and has seen him develop into a top-flight defender not far from wearing a Premier League title medal around his neck in his first full season in France . England’s top league.
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