The slim remaining title hopes of Premier League high-flyers Arsenal have, on Friday, been afforded what could prove to be a decisive blow.
This comes in the form of confirmation that not one, but two key members of Mikel Arteta’s squad have been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
The pair in question? William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
News of the former’s impending absence will of course come as less of a surprise, with Saliba having not taken to the pitch since all the way back in March, owing to a back issue.
Defensive partner Zinchenko’s injury, though, only came last weekend, en route to Arsenal’s impressive downing of Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.
The Ukrainian suffered a calf problem, the extent of which, until now, had remained unclear.
Whilst neither player is expected to require surgery, their respective absences will nevertheless come as a heavy blow to Arsenal’s chances of tracking down rampant Manchester City atop the Premier League table.
🚨 Arsenal defenders William Saliba + Oleksandr Zinchenko out for rest of season. Saliba has not recovered sufficiently from back injury & Zinchenko picked up calf problem at Newcastle. Better news is neither expected to require surgery @TheAthleticFC #AFC https://t.co/hYY55WcnYr
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 11, 2023
