William Saliba believes Arsenal could have been Premier League champions last season had he not got injured.
The France international was a key player in the Gunners‘ title challenge last term, playing 27 league games for Mikel Arteta’s side.
However, disaster struck when Saliba picked up a back injury in March as the title race with Manchester City hotted up.
He was ruled out for the rest of the season, leaving Arsenal to rely on Rob Holding, who later moved on to Crystal Palace this summer.
To pin the Gunners downfall on Saliba’s absence would be unfair, but it certainly had a negative impact on a back line that had been so solid for the majority of the campaign.
Now, the former Marseille loanee has admitted he thinks his injury didn’t help Arsenal in their bid to win the title for the first time since 2004.
“Yeah, it’s clear with me (fully fit), Arsenal could have been champions, but injuries are a part of football,” he told French outlet Téléfoot.
“Last year, I had a good season. Unfortunately, I got injured during the year and at the final sprint.”
But despite last season’s disappointment of finishing five points behind Man City, Saliba is now focused on what his side can achieve this campaign.
He continued: “It’s a new season with new ambitions and I hope that we can do even better.”
Arsenal will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they face Bournemouth on Saturday, exclusively live on talkSPORT.
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