Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has no concerns about defender William Saliba in the long term.

The French centre-half has been absent for the latter part of this campaign with a back injury.

While Arteta admits the problem is worse than the club had initially feared, he stated this week that doubts for pre-season are unfounded for the moment.

He told reporters: “It's probably too early to say. He's been evolving in the right way. The last few weeks have been much more positive than the previous two months.

“We wanted to protect him. It was an injury that needed some caring and attention, and we've been pretty conservative to give him a chance to have a good pre-season to have a chance to go again next season."

He then added about Bukayo Saka signing a new deal and Reiss Nelson possibly doing the same: "Great news for the club [about Saka].

“The club has done a great job with everyone who participated in that deal to make it happen. He's a crucial player for us who represents our club in the best way possible. Hopefully there will be a few more to come."