Mikel Arteta provides William Saliba injury update amid concerns he could miss pre-season

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted he is unsure whether defender William Saliba will be fit in time for pre-season as he continues his recovery from a back injury.

There was initial confusion over the extent of Saliba's injury, and it is unclear as to the full scale of the damage the centre-back has suffered.

Arteta gives Saliba update

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Spaniard confirmed that Saliba is progressing in his recovery from the back injury - but does not know whether will be fully recovered in time for the beginning of pre-season in July.

"We wanted to protect him. It's an injury that needs some caring and attention and we've been pretty conservative to give him the best possible chance to have a good pre-season so he can go again next season."

Arteta also gave an update on right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu, who suffered a knee ligament injury in the same match as Saliba in March.

He said: "I think he will be really close. Hopefully he will be around in pre-season like Willy [Saliba] to be in a good place. He's been working so hard, the boy.

"It's been a really difficult year for him with the issues he's had, he's a tremendous person, a top professional and we just want him to be available because when he's available, he really helps the team."

More to follow.

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