Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that he is unsure of William Saliba’s return from injury, Sportivationng.com reports.
Saliba has missed Arsenal’s last four games since he picked up an injury against Sporting Lisbon in March.
“With William we have to wait a little bit more,” the Arsenal manager said.
“He is not progressing as quickly as we had hoped. It is a bit delicate.”
Arteta added: “We want to be very certain when we push him that he is ready to absorb the load and with the risk we would take at the moment that is not possible to do.”
Rob Holding has deputised for the French defender with little success.
Arteta was asked if Saliba will feature for the club before the end of the season.
“I don’t know, it’s a bit early to do [predictions]. Probably next week we are going to have more certainty.
“There is some evolution, he is doing more activity, but he is not there yet to start to throw him on the pitch at the level that the sessions demand to compete in this league.”
The Gunners will take on Southampton on Friday after failing to win their last two games against Liverpool and West Ham.