Here are your Arsenal evening headlines for Thursday, February 11, 2021.
Saliba decision
William Saliba has found himself in the midst of some controversy this week after quotes emerged saying that he felt he had been judged too quickly by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta upon his return from St. Etienne last summer.
"It is clear that so much has changed in the last year," Saliba told RMC. “When I saw that the coach changed a lot changed for me too. In this year there has been a lot of change.
"He judged me on two-and-a-half matches. I would have liked for him to play me more. But he told me I wasn’t ready.
"I was waiting for him to give me a chance, but football is like that."
Whilst those comments could be damaging, it is worth remembering that after the 19-year-old made his loan move to Nice at the start of January, the Gunners boss already signalled his intention to have Saliba back in his squad for next season.
"He will come back for pre-season and he will be with us," said the Spaniard. "Hopefully he will come back after playing a number of games and his performance raising and his development progressing in the right way. That’s why we made that decision.
"I know that sometimes it’s difficult to explain or understand after the money that the club has spent trying to bring him in, to send him on loan."
Double injury blow
Arsenal welcome Leeds United to the Emirates Stadium in a huge Premier League clash, but manager Arteta will be without as many as two key first-team players.
Thomas Partey sustained a hamstring strain in the 1-0 loss against Aston Villa last week and has been ruled out of the game against Leeds.
"Thomas sustained a strain to his left hamstring during last Saturday’s match at Aston Villa and will miss the match against Leeds United on Sunday," Arsenal have revealed. "Thomas will continue to be assessed and rehabilitate from this injury."
Partey will be joined on the sidelines by Kieran Tierney who hasn't featured since the 3-0 Premier League win over Newcastle United last month.
The Scotland international is recovering well from a leg injury, but Sunday's game comes too soon for his return.
"Kieran is recovering well from a strain to the right lower leg and is aiming to integrate back into training next week," the injury update adds.
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Leeds tipped to beat Arsenal
Leeds United are facing Arsenal at just the right time, according to Vinnie Jones who is tipping his former club to claim all three points at the Emirates Stadium.
"Bielsa’s boys take on Arsenal this week and I reckon they’ve got the Gunners at the right time," he said, as reported by Leeds Live.
"The north Londoners are struggling at the moment after racking up some good wins - and that’s been the way for so many teams this season. Except (Manchester) City."
