Arsenal centre-back William Saliba is reportedly unlikely to be fit in time for the Gunners' top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City on April 26.
The France international - who has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at the Emirates Stadium after waiting three years to make his senior debut - has missed the Gunners' last four games with a back problem.
Saliba sustained his issue against Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League last month, allowing Rob Holding to partner Gabriel Magalhaes against Crystal Palace, Leeds United, Liverpool and West Ham United.
Holding earned praise for his performances against the former two, but he gave away a penalty against Liverpool - which Mohamed Salah missed - and also came under fire for his display on Sunday, as Arsenal threw away another two-goal lead to draw with West Ham.
With Arsenal's lead at the top now standing at four points over Manchester City - who have a game in hand - Mikel Arteta will be desperate to have Saliba back in the ranks for the trip to the Etihad Stadium in nine days' time.
© Reuters
However, the Evening Standard claims that the 22-year-old is not expected to prove his fitness for the visit to Man City, in a devastating blow to Arsenal's hopes of a positive result.
While the Gunners are hopeful of welcoming Saliba back to training soon, the report adds that the final few games of the season in May have been pencilled in for a potential comeback.
Arteta hinted before the draw with West Ham that Saliba would not be in contention to face the champions, claiming that he would take "a few weeks" to get back up to speed.
The Frenchman's long-term future at the club had been called into question after three separate loan spells with Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille, the latter of whom fought tooth and nail to sign him permanently.
However, Saliba decided to make a name for himself at Arsenal and has registered three goals and one assist in 33 matches this season, starting 27 Premier League games for Arteta's side.
© Reuters
Saliba was one of four Arsenal absentees for the draw with West Ham, as Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny missed out with their season-ending knee injuries alongside Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The Gunners announced that Zinchenko's absence was precautionary due to a tight groin, which the left-back is understood to have sustained at Anfield earlier this month.
Kieran Tierney made just his fifth Premier League start at the London Stadium as a result, but Arsenal are reportedly expecting Zinchenko to return for Friday evening's clash with basement side Southampton at the Emirates.
Arsenal stormed into a two-goal advantage against West Ham thanks to Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard's efforts inside 10 minutes, but Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen completed a remarkable comeback for David Moyes's side.
Bukayo Saka also sent a penalty wide for Arsenal, who have now surrendered successive 2-0 leads for the first time in the Premier League era, and they are only the fifth team in the history of the competition to do so.
Saka apologised to Arsenal fans on social media for his missed spot kick, while Arteta admitted that his players "lost purpose" after scoring two quickfire early goals.
Ben Knapton
