Why was William Saliba absent from the match?
Saliba suffered a knock in training, forcing him to miss the game.
Soccer / Team News
Arsenal faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with a revised defensive lineup due to injuries to key players. William Saliba and Gabriel both missed the match, leading to a new center-back partnership.
Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, confirmed Saliba's injury occurred in training, sidelining him for the crucial match against Chelsea. Hincapie, who played in the north London derby, partnered with fellow summer signing Mosquera. This marks a significant shift, as either Saliba or Gabriel has featured in the starting XI for the vast majority of Premier League matches since August 2021.
The new defensive pairing of Mosquera and Hincapie previously played together in a Carabao Cup match against Brighton, where Arsenal won 2-0 but conceded numerous chances. Their ability to maintain defensive solidity against Chelsea's attack was a key factor in the game. Cole Palmer recovered from a toe injury to be among Chelsea's substitutes.
Arsenal Lineup: Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Hincapie, Calafiori, Rice, Zubimendi, Eze, Saka, Martinelli, Merino.
Chelsea Lineup: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Cucurella, Chalobah, James, Fernandez, Estevao, Caicedo, Pedro Neto, Pedro.
Saliba suffered a knock in training, forcing him to miss the game.
Piero Hincapie partnered with Mosquera in the absence of Saliba and Gabriel.
Gabriel Jesus returned to the squad for the first time since playing against Manchester United in the FA Cup, 322 days prior.
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