Arsenal have continued from where they left off last season, with Mikel Arteta again forced to deal with a spate of injury setbacks at the start of 2025–26.
Liverpool cantered to their second Premier League title last time out as a result of the Gunners’ availability woes, but much work has been done over the summer to ensure Arteta is better prepared for the inevitable setbacks that arise as a result of a hugely demanding schedule.
The Premier League’s contemporary bridesmaid visited Anfield before the international break without Bukayo Saka and a Martin Ødegaard only fit enough for a place on the bench. Gooners were once again cursing their luck just minutes into the early-season tone-setter, as star defender William Saliba was forced off with an ankle issue.
Summer arrival Cristhian Mosquera filled in ably during a cagey affair with little goal-mouth action, ensuring Hugo Ekitiké didn’t continue his impressive start to life on Merseyside.
Mosquera’s performance will ease fears over a defensive collapse in Saliba’s absence, as was the case at the backend of 2022–23, and the 21-year-old is poised to see plenty of the field over the next few weeks.
Here are the fixtures Saliba is poised to miss as a result of his ankle injury.
