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  "path": "/2026/02/12/william-saliba-not-playing-arsenal-brentford-today-26859074/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-12T18:59:12.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Football",
    "Sport",
    "Arsenal",
    "Brentford FC",
    "Premier League",
    "William Saliba",
    "Brentford",
    "Manchester City",
    "Fulham",
    "London",
    "Leeds",
    "CLICK HERE FOR MATCH UPDATES FROM METRO’S LIVE BLOG",
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  "textContent": "William Saliba is not in tonight’s matchday squad (Picture: Getty)\n\nWilliam Saliba has been left out of the Arsenal matchday squad taking on Brentford in the Premier League this afternoon.\n\nArsenal are looking to restore their six-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table after Guardiola’s side cruised to a 3-0 win over Fulham on Wednesday.\n\nThe Gunners head to west London full of confidence after impressive wins against Leeds and Sunderland in recent weeks.\n\nHowever, Mikel Arteta has been dealt a blow before kick-off after Saliba was ruled out of the clash due to illness.\n\n**CLICK HERE FOR MATCH UPDATES FROM METRO’S LIVE BLOG **\n\nThe Frenchman has been an imperious figure at the heart of Arsenal’s defence, and has been replaced in the starting lineup by Christian Mosquera.\n\nSpeaking before kick-off, Arteta said: ‘This morning Wilo wasn’t feeling good so he’s ill. He’s at home, just short-term.’\n\n##  Get your football fix\n\nDon't want to miss the week's biggest football stories? **Metro's** exclusive football newsletter, In The Mixer, is your essential guide.\n\nFrom the latest transfer rumours and managerial moves to analysis of the biggest games and a lot more, our experts have you covered.\n\nSign up here, it's an open goal.\n\nWilliam Saliba’s shirt was in the dressing room ahead of tonight’s fixture (Picture: Getty)\n\n##  Brentford vs Arsenal team news\n\n**Brentford starting XI:  **Kelleher, Kayode, Van den Berg, Ajer, Henry, Janelt, Yarmoliuk, Jensen, Ouattara, Lewis-Potter. Thiago\n\n**Subs:** Valdimarsson, Hickey, Pinnock, Henderson, Collins, Damsgaard, Donovan, Furo, Bentt.\n\n**Arsenal starting XI** : Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Hincapie, Rice, Zubimendi, Madueke, Eze, Trossard, Gyokeres.\n\n**Subs:  **Arrizabalaga, White, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka, Jesus.\n\nElsewhere, Arsenal made three further changes, with Eberechi Eze, Piero Hincapie and Viktor Gyokeres coming in for Kai Havertz, Ricccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Jesus.\n\nHavertz misses out having reportedly picked up a fresh muscle injury.\n\nThere was some good news for Arsenal though, with Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka able to be named on the bench after their respective minor injuries.\n\nBrentford, meanwhile, make one change from their win over Newcastle at the weekend as Yehor Yarmoliuk comes in for Jordan Henderson.\n\n**For more stories like this,check our sport page**.\n\n**Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on**Facebook, **Twitter and Instagram**.\n\nComment now Comments  Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source ",
  "title": "Why William Saliba is not playing for Arsenal against Brentford today"
}