William Saliba admits it was ‘really, really hard’ to miss Arsenal’s title run-in last season

Arsenal defender William Saliba has opened up on his injury issues after his absence last season coincided with the Gunners’ dip in form.

Saliba was a mainstay in his side’s defence last term until a back issue cut his campaign short, playing every minute of Arsenal’s first 27 Premier League games.

They were top of the Premier League at the time and mounting a serious push for the title, but just five wins from 11 followed as Rob Holding and Jakub Kiwior struggled to deputise.

Two clean sheets came in that time as his partnership with Gabriel was broken, and manager Mikel Arteta bemoaned his lack of squad depth as a key reason for his side’s title challenge falling away.

And Salbia, via the Metro, has admitted it was ‘really, really hard’ to be unable to help his team as their challenge stumbled, but revealed he is keen to get back playing during pre-season. 

Saliba played Arsenal’s first 27 Premier League games before a back injury ended his season

He has been in rehab since, however, and should be fit to start the new Premier League season

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‘Honestly, it was so, so, so hard to let my team play without me,’ he said. ‘Football is like this but it was really, really hard to not help my team in these moments.

‘It was very hard because it was the last two months. It’s the moment when every game is so important. It was really, really hard, but you know when you have an injury, you have to learn and come back stronger.

‘And now I can’t wait to play again. I’m so, so hungry to play on. I can’t wait to be on the pitch.

‘I had a little break and after I went to Marbella to do my rehab with the staff. It was good but of course I was waiting for the pre-season.’

Rob Holding (picture) and Jakub Kiwior struggled to deputise for the Frenchman in his absence

Saliba recently put pen to paper on a new four-year contract to stay with Arsenal

Saliba recently put pen to paper on a new deal with the Gunners, signing a four-year deal after a breakout campaign in the Premier League.

He has set his sights on major honours with the club after getting a taste of a title challenge last campaign.

‘I’m so happy and I want to thank everyone in the club,’ he said. ‘I spoke with the coach, with Edu, with my agent, but it was an easy decision to extend my contract and that’s it.

‘I think we can achieve everything. Of course, it’s easy to say this, but we have the coach, we have the character, we have the players and every year the team gets stronger. We have better players with a good mentality.’

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