Michael Dawson names Arsenal player that could cost Mikel Arteta title

Michael Dawson is fearful that Rob Holding could cost Arsenal the Premier League title if William Saliba does not return to action quickly. The Frenchman has been sidelined since the Europa League exit at the hands of Sporting last month with a back problem that is yet to heal.

Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal medical staff are taking his recovery day by day and are reluctant to rush Saliba back into action.

Meanwhile, Holding has slotted into central defence alongside Gabriel Magalhaes but his performances have been a mixed bag despite a respectable contribution towards the Gunners’ title charge.

Holding gave away a penalty last week in the 2-2 draw at Liverpool when he hacked down Diogo Jota and former Tottenham defender Dawson is fearful the ex-Bolton man could haunt the Gunners if he continues to play.

“The way they play and the way William Saliba covers the ground in a one versus one, the passage of play at times,” Dawson said on Soccer Saturday.

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“When I was playing, I never wanted to be exposed one versus one. I look at Rob Holding, he’s done a good job but he’s not Saliba.

“Saliba is great in both boxes and that’s a big concern for them and how long he’s going to be out.

“They’ve missed him in recent weeks. I think last week they were probably fortunate in the end and I think it’s a good point.

“If they get him back I think they will be stronger than they already are.

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“I feel like we’re probably giving Rob Holding a little bit of a disservice here, you have a squad and Saliba wasn’t one of the players we’d be talking about at the start of the season but he is now.”

Arsenal have failed to keep any clean sheets in the three Premier League matches they have played since Saliba picked up his injury.

The Gunners ran out 4-1 winners over Crystal Palace and Leeds before throwing away a two-goal lead at Anfield last Sunday.

Arteta is still hopeful Saliba could return to the fold soon after stepping up his recovery behind the scenes at London Colney.

The Spaniard said of his centre-back: “William is still not available. He’s progressing well and we are hopeful we’ll have him available in the next few weeks, but we’ll have to see.

“He’s not far from starting to do that [return to training]. Obviously we need to be cautious because of the injury, but he’s evolving well.

“Eddie is back and is fully fit now. We want our players to be as fit as possible and available.

“We’ve had some issues, especially in the last few months with some important players. We just want to have everybody fit and available to help the team.”

Arsenal travel to West Ham this weekend in a match they simply must win as Manchester City continue to hunt them down.

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