Soccer-Saliba struggling to return to Arsenal title fight

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Carabao Cup Third Round - Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 9, 2022 Arsenal's William Saliba during the warm up before the match REUTERS/David Klein/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Defender William Saliba is struggling to return to Arsenal's Premier League title run-in because of a back injury while Oleksandr Zinchenko is also a doubt for Friday's crucial home game against bottom club Southampton.

Frenchman Saliba, who has impressed this season after returning from a loan spell with Marseille, has not played for a month and manager Mikel Arteta is concerned.