Arsenal get William Saliba injury update as huge announcement made after Liverpool clash

William Saliba has picked up an injury for Arsenal (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

William Saliba has been withdrawn from the France camp for the international break after suffering an ankle injury in the warm-up at Anfield on Sunday. The defender started for Arsenal against Liverpool but only lasted four minutes before being taken off.

Speaking afterwards, Mikel Arteta said: "He twisted his ankle during the warm-up, and he came in and he said he believed that he could carry on and play but he strayed away in the first two actions. I could see that he couldn't cope and we had to get him out, unfortunately.

"But thank God we have [Cristhian] Mosquera , which we put in for the first time in the Premier League, his debut, not expecting it at Anfield and I think he was really, really good."

Saliba has been replaced by Inter's Benjamin Pavard. He was seen walking through the mixed zone after the game on Sunday without a protective boot and he took his place on the bench in a club tracksuit after half-time. Saliba appeared to be walking with a limp.

Arteta added: "Well, I am [worried] because you cannot play a game of that stature. After you try, that means that there is something wrong."

The Gunners are expected to finalise a deal for Piero Hincapie, who will come in on a season-long loan to support Saliba and the defence. The Bayer Leverkusen man will then make his move to north London permanent next summer.

Arsenal went on to lose the game 1-0 after Dominik Szoboszlai's late free kick snatched all three points for the hosts. Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhaes had kept Arne Slot's side quiet for most of the afternoon but could not force a breakthrough.

With Hincapie set to arrive in order to bolster the backline, Jakub Kiwior will depart. He is close to joining Porto. Arteta chose against naming Kiwior on his bench in Merseyside.

Kiwior will recoup around £23million for Arsenal after signing for the club two-and-a-half years ago for £20million from Spezia. Arsenal are also hopeful of cashing in on Fabio Vieira for the 7pm deadline on Monday, September 1.

Meanwhile, it is down to Arteta to work without a group of key players after injuries to Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Kai Havertz. Odegaard was fit enough to come from the bench on Sunday but Saka and Havertz both missed out.

The international break will allow for all players to rest and recover. Arsenal play Nottingham Forest on Saturday, September 13 when the players return.