William Saliba is still a doubt for Arsenal’s match against Leeds United this weekend, with the Gunners cautious about risking an injury flare-up.

LISBON, PORTUGAL: William Saliba of Arsenal FC thanks the supporters in the stands after the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg match between Sporting CP and Arsenal FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on March 9, 2023. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL: William Saliba of Arsenal FC thanks the supporters in the stands after the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg match between Sporting CP and Arsenal FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on March 9, 2023. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

The Evening Standard report that it’s unclear whether or not William Saliba will play this weekend, with Arsenal assessing whether there’s a risk of his injury flaring up again.

Though the centre-back hasn’t been ruled out, the suggestion is that he’s a serious doubt to face Leeds United on Saturday.

Saliba’s subsequent apparent absence from Thursday’s training session certainly isn’t a good sign.

It seems Eddie Nketiah isn’t ready for a comeback yet, so he’ll join Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny in missing the game. Tomiyasu and Elneny are both out for the season.

There’s no word yet on Kieran Tierney, who was listed as a doubt for the Leeds United clash after the knock he picked up on international duty. But Tierney was at least in training on Thursday.

The Standard report that Thomas Partey is expecting to be fit for Leeds after an injury of his own during the break.

LISBON, PORTUGAL - MARCH 09: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg one match between Sporting CP and Arsenal FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on March 09, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg match between Sporting CP and Arsenal FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on March 09, 2023. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

As a result, Saliba is probably the only player in Mikel Arteta’s usual starting lineup who won’t make the side against Leeds.

The rest of the absentees will simply cut down Arteta’s substitute options.

It will also be interesting to see whether Gabriel Jesus or Leandro Trossard start the match, but with some huge fixtures coming up in April, it’s probably best to get Jesus firing as soon as possible.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Leeds

Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Odegaard, Xhaka, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus