Arsenal's Nightmare Continues as Star Player Crumbles Just Five Minutes Into Liverpool Showdown

Arsenal's alarming injury crisis in the early campaign persists, with William Saliba appearing to be in obvious pain and requiring substitution just five minutes into the Gunners' match against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

The French defender was competing for an aerial ball with Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitiké in the opening moments. Despite Saliba securing possession, he immediately began favoring one leg in visible distress before collapsing to the turf. Moments later, he fell again, this time gesturing to his teammates on the sideline that he was unable to carry on.

This represents a crushing setback for Arsenal. Saliba is indispensable in Mikel Arteta's formation and a crucial component of the Gunners' achievements. His defensive pairing with Gabriel at the center of the backline has evolved into potentially the Premier League's finest.

Arsenal's new signing Cristhian Mosquera came on to replace the injured Saliba. The ex-Valencia player will now receive his first substantial playing time with his new team at one of England's most challenging away grounds.

Arsenal's fitness concerns have been troubling from the campaign's outset. Saliba becomes the fourth player to sustain an injury during the Gunners' opening three matches of the season, alongside Kai Havertz, Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka—with the final two being forced off in Arsenal's previous encounter against Leeds United.

Saka and Havertz were absent from the journey to Anfield while Ødegaard was only healthy enough to begin among the substitutes.

Details about Saliba's injury remain unavailable, but Arsenal have already needed to depend on the multiple signings brought in during the summer window. Cristhian Mosquera, a recent acquisition from Valencia, entered for the French player while Viktor Gyökeres and Noni Madueke stepped in for Havertz and Saka respectively.

This is a developing story.