Arteta confident Arsenal can cope without Gabriel and Saliba

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s draw with Chelsea gives him confidence that his side can cope without defensive duo Gabriel and William Saliba.

Saliba was absent from the game having picked up an injury in training, along with Gabriel who is out with an adductor injury.

“He’s got another test tomorrow, Willy, to see the extent of the feeling he had,” Arteta said on the Frenchman.

“With Gabriel, still some weeks to go.”

Arteta opted for an entirely new central defensive partnership of Christhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie against their London rivals, who took the lead through Trevoh Chalobah despite having Moises Caicedo sent off in the first half.

But the Gunners fought back and equalised through Mikel Merino, with the draw meaning Arteta’s side move five points clear at the top of the Premier League 

“It’s been a headache because obviously we’ve had to have a lot of changes in the last few months for different reasons,” Arteta continued when asked about his side’s injury problems. 

“The beauty of it is you have players who are willing to play, willing to connect with each other, build that relationship even better.

“Today was a great learning match for all of us and gives you the assurances that whoever is there is going to perform.”