William Saliba will miss Arsenal’s clash with Leeds due to a back injury, and his fitness status after that remains in the balance.

Football.London report that William Saliba will miss Arsenal’s match against Leeds United this weekend, adding that it’s currently unclear when he’ll return to the squad.

Rob Holding is expected to fill in for Saliba for the time being, after he did so to good effect against Crystal Palace ahead of the international break.

James Green reports that Saliba is being monitored day to day, and Arsenal aren’t yet ruling him out of their trip to Anfield next week.

Meanwhile, rumours on social media suggest there was initial concern that the centre-back could be out for the season.

Football insider Leaked Lineups reports that after Saliba’s first scan on the injury, Arsenal believed he’d need an operation, ending his season.

But the second scan looked better, and the Gunners now believe they can get him through games.

Saliba will need to be managed carefully and could pull up at any time if he isn’t, but the fact Arsenal haven’t booked an operation is a positive sign.

Arsenal will hope they can do without Saliba again this weekend, especially considering all 10 of the other usual starters are fit.

You’d hope the team wouldn’t fall apart with just one player out, especially after they got through the period without Gabriel Jesus.

But when the big games come around in the coming weeks, including that trip to Anfield, it would certainly be a boost to have the French international available.