The Sky Sports reporter lays claim to Nketiah & Saliba as he watches Arsenal train at Colney

Regarding Saliba, the £27m man sat out Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace after suffering a back injury in the second leg of their Europa League defeat by Sporting Lisbon.

Now Sky Sports have provided an update from London Colney which you can see below.

In a live report from Arsenal’s training ground, Sky Sports revealed that Nketiah and Saliba were still absent among their team-mates as the Gunners prepared to face Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium this Saturday.

Nketiah – who Aaron Ramsdale called “incredible” on The Fellas podcast – was spotted wearing a protective boot ahead of the international break and it remains to be seen if he will no longer have to wear it.

Arsenal need Saliba more than Nketiah

Nketiah is a very valuable player for Arteta, although for the time being the Gunners can cope with his absence with Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus available for the centre-forward role.

Depth at centre-back isn’t as luxurious, however, and Rob Holding – despite his talent – can’t match what Saliba brings to the side. Takehiro Tomiyasu is also missing after an operation.

The 27-year-old did well against Crystal Palace but the goal-shy south Londoners are less of a test than Leeds and Liverpool are expected to be in the next fortnight so he could struggle if the Frenchman misses.

Hopefully Saliba’s back injury isn’t too serious and he can – like Nketiah – return as soon as possible to defend Arsenal’s Premier League title.

In other news, Marcelo Gallardo tipped Real Madrid after Leeds and Southampton