Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta sets record straight on mysterious William Saliba injury

• Arsenal
• Arsenal News
• William Saliba

Arsenal centre-back William Saliba has missed the past four matches due to a knock sustained ahead of the draw at Chelsea nearly two weeks ago

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has finally provided some clarity on the issue that has kept defender William Saliba out for the past two weeks.

The imperious Frenchman picked up what was described as a "knock" ahead of the 1-1 draw at Chelsea on November 30.

Saliba even travelled to Stamford Bridge with the Gunners squad that day, indicating he may have been touch and go to feature in the feisty London derby.

However, he has now missed the past four games in all competitions and there are still no guarantees he will be ready in time to face Wolves on Saturday.

Arteta said ahead of this weekend's fixture: "We have to wait and see. Yesterday we didn't train, he hasn't trained with us yet. So we have an extra day, which means it's afternoon. Let's see if he can be available or not."

When pushed for clarity on the problem, the Spaniard responded: "Yeah, it was something quite small.

"It came from an ankle injury that he had, and then he started to modify the way he was running and all that, and he started to overload an area, which is something common.

"But at some point, it became uncomfortable to continue training and playing, and we had to stop. He looks better but we have to wait and see if he's enough for him to be able to train with the team."

Arsenal are navigating somewhat of a defensive crisis as fellow centre-backs Gabriel Magalhaes and Cristhian Mosquera are also sidelined due to injury.

Full-back Jurrien Timber is also doubtful for Wolves due to a knock. Arteta said of the Dutchman: "Again, depends how he feels today. It was a knock that he picked [up], and he wasn’t feeling comfortable. So again, I think it’s a matter of days, but whether it’s tomorrow or not we’ll see."

In Wednesday's 3-0 Champions League win over Club Brugge, Christian Norgaard slotted in as a makeshift central defender and helped the Gunners keep yet another clean sheet.

Myles Lewis-Skelly, Piero Hincapie and Ben White are all expected to start against Wolves while a late call will also be made on Timber as the Gunners look to restore their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.