RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesArteta admits Saliba’s injury leaves massive void as Arsenal ship three again in shaky pre-season
Mikel Arteta has conceded that William Saliba is a massive loss for Arsenal following the defender's absence during an unconvincing pre-season.
The Premier Leagu e champions lost 3-2 to Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates on Sunday, the club's second straight loss of the summer schedule.
Arsenal have conceded three goals in successive games and have looked vulnerable in the absence of Saliba, who is sidelined with a back issue. No timeline has been placed on the Frenchman's return, with Arteta admitting Saliba's absence is tough to navigate.
"Yes, we have experienced that in the past, unfortunately. And when he's been available, he's hit home and the stats are incredible," Arteta said to arsenal.com.
"So we know that we lost a massive player, the same with Jurrien, some of the seven or eight players that weren't here with us. So we know that the context is very, very particular. And there were so many other positive things. It could have been a very different result, to be fair. And I don't want to lose sight of that. But losing has to create pain. That's inevitable."
In an update on the fitness of Saliba and Jurrien Timber, Arteta said he was unsure when he'd have the defensive duo available.
"No, I cannot be very precise with that. Jurrien is progressing really well. He's on the pitch, he's doing quite a lot right now, but it's still weeks away. I cannot tell you how much. William Saliba is in rest mode at the moment for two weeks.
"He had to do almost nothing, an aggravated injury, so it's going to take some time to heal. We know that. And as soon as we have more news, we can inform you."
Arsenal have been linked with signing a centre-back, amid reports of interest in Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa and Tottenham Hotspur captain Cristian Romero. Asked about transfer interest, Arteta said his focus is on improving the players at his disposal.
"We conceded some poor goals in the way we competed, especially. But that's a very collective responsibility. So we need to improve with the players that we have. And we want to improve, for sure, we want that."
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