Mikel Arteta: Unlikely to see William Saliba return for Arsenal's FA Cup tie

Arteta provided the update while previewing Arsenal's trip to Mansfield, explaining that Saliba experienced discomfort after the previous match and was unable to continue. The manager clarified that the issue involves the defender's other ankle, not the one that troubled him earlier in the season.

Saliba had already been considered unlikely to feature in the upcoming FA Cup fixture, with Arsenal taking a cautious approach over the defender's fitness.

The French international also missed the club's midweek Premier League victory over Brighton as a result of the problem.

Arteta admitted that Saliba's availability for the trip to Mansfield remains doubtful, with the club continuing to monitor the situation closely as they assess when the centre-back will be ready to return to action.

Asked if it was the same ankle he injured against Liverpool, Arteta said: "No, it's the other one.

"We saw after the game he wasn't comfortable to finish the game and after that, straight away, he didn't have a good feeling. So let's see if he recovers quickly."

When asked if Saliba could return to face Mansfield, Arteta added, "I doubt it." 

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