Mikel Arteta Explains William Saliba Injury Blow in Liverpool Defeat

Arsenal’s trip to Anfield on Sunday turned into a night of frustration, not just because of the narrow defeat to Liverpool, but also due to an unexpected setback involving one of their most reliable players. William Saliba, who has become the backbone of Mikel Arteta’s defence, was forced off early after struggling with an ankle injury picked up in the warm-up.

The Gunners were already walking into one of the most intimidating away fixtures in the Premier League calendar. To then lose a figure as central as Saliba before the match had even properly begun was a blow Arteta admitted was extremely hard to absorb. In the end, Dominik Szoboszlai’s late moment of brilliance decided the contest, but the story for Arsenal fans was just as much about what happened before the first whistle as it was about the decisive free-kick.

William Saliba Injured in Warm-Up Before Arsenal’s Loss to Liverpool

Mikel Arteta revealed in his post-match press conference that the French centre-back twisted his ankle in the pre-match warm-up. Despite being in visible discomfort, Saliba insisted he could start the game.

“He twisted his ankle during the warm-up,” Arteta told reporters. “He came in and he said he believed that he could carry on and play but straightaway in the first two actions I could see that he couldn’t cope and we had to get him out, unfortunately.”

It was a situation that highlighted both Saliba’s determination and his importance to the side. Few defenders in the league combine his calm presence with his defensive authority. That he was willing to test himself, even with the pain, shows his mentality. But within minutes, it became obvious that the injury was too much to play through.

Mosquera’s Surprise Premier League Debut

Liverpool v Arsenal – Premier League arteta

Arteta turned to Cristhian Mosquera, the young summer signing, handing him a baptism of fire in his very first Premier League appearance – and at Anfield of all places. For any player, especially one new to English football, it was a daunting prospect. Yet the manager felt he rose to the challenge admirably.

“But thank God we have Mosquera, which we put in for the first time in the Premier League, his debut, not expecting it at Anfield,” Arteta added. “I think he was really, really good.”

The Colombian defender looked composed in moments and didn’t shrink from the physicality of Liverpool’s attack. While mistakes are inevitable for a debutant, particularly in such an intense environment, there were signs that Mosquera could grow into a trusted option over time. For Arsenal supporters, that was a small silver lining to an otherwise frustrating evening.

Arsenal’s Defence Without Saliba

William Saliba Arsenal injued

This isn’t the first time Arsenal have had to cope with Saliba missing from their backline. His injury late last season was widely seen as a turning point in the title race, when the Gunners’ defensive stability began to falter. Losing him again, even temporarily, raises natural concerns about depth and resilience at the back.

The presence of Gabriel Magalhães alongside Saliba has been the bedrock of Arsenal’s defensive solidity. Take Saliba out, and the balance of the back four shifts. Arteta will be hoping the injury is nothing more than a scare and that the scans bring good news.

The timing is particularly difficult, given Arsenal’s schedule. With the international break now arriving, there is hope that Saliba can recover without missing significant club action. However, Arteta confirmed that the defender will not join up with the French national team during this window. That decision at least offers some reassurance – he will stay in London for treatment rather than risking aggravating the issue further.

Liverpool Take Advantage in Tight Contest

While the injury was a major talking point, the game itself was equally intense. Arsenal matched Liverpool stride for stride for large portions, defending bravely and creating moments of their own. Yet as is often the case at Anfield, one lapse proved costly.

Dominik Szoboszlai’s late free-kick was unstoppable, curling beyond the outstretched arms of David Raya to seal the points for Jürgen Klopp’s side. It was a reminder of how fine the margins are at this level – and how costly an enforced early substitution can be when it disrupts rhythm and structure.

Saliba’s Road to Recovery

The Arsenal medical team will conduct further scans on Saliba’s ankle to determine the full extent of the damage. Arteta struck a cautious but hopeful tone, suggesting the knock may not be serious. The club will be praying he recovers during the two-week break and is available for the clash against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates on September 13.

For a player of Saliba’s quality, even missing a couple of games could shift the momentum in Arsenal’s season. His reading of the game, distribution from the back, and leadership qualities have become indispensable. Arteta will know better than anyone the consequences of being without him for an extended period.

What This Means for Arsenal

The defeat to Liverpool itself is not season-defining, but the injury scare adds a layer of concern. Arsenal’s ambitions are clear: to challenge again for the Premier League title and to go deep in the Champions League. To do that, they need their best players fit.

The performance of Mosquera at Anfield suggests that there is promise in the squad’s depth, but Saliba remains irreplaceable. Supporters will be waiting anxiously for the medical updates, hoping that the Frenchman is back in action when domestic football resumes.

If there’s a silver lining, it’s that the setback has come just before an international break rather than during a relentless run of fixtures. That small window could make the difference between a brief absence and a more disruptive layoff.

Conclusion: Arteta Balances Relief and Concern

In the end, Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat at Liverpool was painful but not catastrophic. What could prove more influential in the weeks to come is the condition of William Saliba.

Arteta’s post-match honesty revealed both the risk the defender took in starting and the necessity of removing him quickly. The fact that Mosquera held his own on debut is encouraging, but everyone connected with Arsenal knows how crucial Saliba is to their hopes this season.

The scans will tell the full story, but until then, Arsenal fans can only cross their fingers and hope that the Frenchman’s ankle problem is nothing more than a temporary hurdle on the road to bigger ambitions.