Arsenal fans were handed an unwelcome surprise when Mikel Arteta revealed his starting lineup for the Premier League game against Brentford – that didn’t include William Saliba.
The French defender was replaced by Cristhian Mosquera in the starting XI; he was not seen as the rest of the squad emerged from the team bus with no indication as to why he was left out for the trip to the menacing G-Tech Community Stadium.
However, news emerged that the player is suffering from illness and for that reason has not travelled to west London.
Arsenal starting XI: Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Eze, Madueke, Trossard, Gyokeres.
🔵 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔘
💪 Mosquera in at the back
🪄 Eze pulling the strings
🎯 Gyokeres leads the lineGive it everything again, Gunners ✊
🤝 Presented by @deel
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 12, 2026
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