Arsenal Faces Chelsea Without Saliba

Saliba’s Injury Details

William Saliba, an integral part of Arsenal’s defense, was injured during a training session, leading to his absence in the upcoming fixture against Chelsea. Known for his consistency, Saliba has featured in 10 of Arsenal’s 11 matches this season. Previously, his only missed game was due to a twisted ankle.

Impact on the Team

The absence of Saliba is a major hurdle for Arsenal, especially as they approach the London derby with plans to have all players present. With Cole Palmer returning for Chelsea, Arsenal must manage without Saliba and his defensive partner, Gabriel, who is also sidelined by injury.

New Defensive Pairing

Cristhian Mosquera is set to replace Saliba on the field. This shift is significant for Arsenal, who have relied heavily on the pairing of Saliba and Gabriel. From August 2021, at least one of the two has played in nearly every Premier League match, except against Southampton last season.

Previous Performance

Mosquera, along with Piero Hincapié, showcased their compatibility in a previous Carabao Cup match against Brighton. Although they faced multiple shots, the pair managed a 2-0 victory. Their experience from this game will be vital as they take on the more demanding challenge against Chelsea.

Player Ratings

David Raya (6/10): Was taken by surprise with a free-kick leading to Chelsea’s goal but remained mostly unchallenged.

Jurrien Timber (7/10): Provided steady leadership in defense despite the chaos.

Cristhian Mosquera (6/10): Delivered a courageous performance even with pre-match jitters.

Piero Hincapié (6/10): Stepped up with a senior role and nearly assisted a late opportunity.

Riccardo Calafiori (5/10): Faced difficulties in defense and was substituted at half-time.

Declan Rice (7/10): Displayed high skill levels and executed critical tackles.

Mikel Arteta (6/10): Late tactical shifts did not secure the expected control over the match.