Erling Haaland’s battle with Rob Holding could be key in the title race (Picture: Getty)

If there is a common thread to Arsenal’s recent, stuttering form it has been the absence of William Saliba.

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For all the talk of pressure, nerves and the ‘B’ word (it rhymes with Aristotle), it’s the absence of their domineering centre-back which has really hurt the Gunners.

Saliba has missed five games with a back injury and will not return in Wednesday’s title showdown with Manchester City. Without him, Arsenal have conceded nine goals and, as you may have heard, drawn their last three games.

There are myriad other factors at play in a title run-in but, bottom line, do Arsenal really let slip two-goal leads at Liverpool and West Ham and give rock-bottom Southampton a two-goal start with Saliba at hand? Their defensive record with the Frenchman in the line-up suggests not.

So, not a great time to be facing Erling Haaland, then. And not a great time to be Saliba’s understudy.