William Saliba injury statement from Mikel Arteta is music to Arsenal fans’ ears

Arsenal defender William Saliba is working his way back to fitness after picking up an injury that saw him miss the win over Brighton on Wednesday

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that key defender William Saliba came through a training session on Friday to prove his fitness. The centre-back missed their Carabao Cup win over Brighton in midweek due to injury.

Saliba picked up a knock to his ankle during last Sunday’s 1-0 win vs Crystal Palace. The Frenchman was forced to come off at half-time against Oliver Glasner’s side.

But the 24-year-old is back in Arsenal’s starting line-up for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Burnley. Arteta has named an unchanged team from the one that beat Palace last weekend, as Arsenal look to go seven points clear of second-placed Bournemouth before the Cherries play Manchester City on Sunday.

And speaking before kick-off, Arteta confirmed that Saliba came through Friday’s training session as he now starts alongside Gabriel at centre-back for the Gunners.

“He was a doubt, but he made it,” he said.

“He trained yesterday and he’s feeling well. We made changes in midweek, but today we’re back to the same team [as against Crystal Palace last week].”

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Asked at Friday’s pre-match press conference whether the message to his Arsenal team is to keep their foot on the gas off the back of eight consecutive wins, Arteta replied: “Yeah, and maintain the level of urgency, the concentration, the focus, ambition that we are showing every game. And every game brings different challenges.

“Sometimes we have to be very patient. Some of the times we have to have a different approach. And the game against Burnley is going to be really tough.

“They’re extremely well-coached, and I Scott [Parker] what he’s done really well with the club and with this team. It’s formidable and when you look at all the games, and I’ve seem five of the last games they’ve played, they are a very, very tough team to beat.”

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