William Saliba’s Arsenal Absence vs Brentford Explained
William Saliba’s absence from Arsenal’s match against Brentford has raised concerns among fans. The Premier League clash took place on February 12, 2026, at the Gtech Community Stadium. Saliba was sidelined due to an illness, leaving a noticeable gap in the team’s defense.
Impact of Saliba’s Absence
Mikel Arteta, the head coach of Arsenal, confirmed Saliba’s absence shortly before kickoff. “This morning Wilo [Saliba] wasn’t feeling good, so he’s ill and at home,” Arteta stated.
With Saliba unavailable, Arsenal made significant adjustments to the starting lineup. Cristhian Mosquera stepped in, joining three other changes after the team’s successful 3-0 win over Sunderland the previous weekend.
Arsenal’s Lineup Adjustments
Changes in the starting eleven included:
- Cristhian Mosquera
- Piero Hincapie
- Viktor Gyokeres
- Eberechi Eze
These adjustments were crucial, especially as Arsenal aimed to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League table. They began the Brentford match with a three-point advantage over Manchester City.
Injury Concerns
Saliba wasn’t the only player affected by injury issues. Mikel Merino is recovering from foot surgery, while Kai Havertz joined the injury list this week with a muscle problem. Arteta noted that Havertz experienced discomfort after the match against Sunderland.
Returning Players
Despite these concerns, Arsenal had some promising news. Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, both injury doubts, were fit enough to be included on the bench for the match against Brentford.
Current Premier League Standings
Before the match, Arsenal had seen their lead shrink following Manchester City’s victories against Liverpool and Fulham. This scenario added pressure on the Gunners to secure points against Brentford and reinforce their position at the top of the table.
Conclusion
William Saliba’s absence due to illness is a setback for Arsenal as they navigate a tight Premier League title race. The team will look to adapt and keep their momentum going as they face similar challenges ahead.
