Jesus pinpoints Saliba injury as key factor in Arsenal's title collapse

Gabriel Jesus has had his say on exactly when Arsenal's title bid went up in flames, pinpointing an untimely injury to one of the club's stars.

The Gunners had been favourites to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time in 19 years, having held pole-position for the vast majority of the 2022-23 season.

However, a flurry of poor results in the run-in - and a costly humbling by rivals Manchester City - saw them ultimately fall short in their pursuit of the English crown.

But rather than a lack of experience or a weaker mentality in the business end of the season Jesus, himself a veteran of multiple league wins with City, insisted that the loss of one of his team-mates to injury played a crucial role.

Speaking on the Denilson Show to the eponymous World Cup winner, he admitted that the Gunners' previously solid defence began to leak more goals after William Saliba's back injury that ruled him out of the tail-end of the campaign.

'When he plays, we concede few goals, when he doesn't play, the number (goals conceded) increases.'

The French defender had played all but 14 minutes of the Gunners title tilt prior to a March Europa League clash with Sporting, keeping 12 clean sheets and losing just three times in the league.

After spending successive seasons on loan in Ligue 1, he began to grab attention with assured displays at the heart of one of the meanest defences in the division, as showing a confidence on the ball beyond his years.

However, midway through the first half at the Emirates against the Portuguese side - who would go on to win the game - he was taken off with a back issue that would see him miss the next 12 games.

Saliba's impressive performances for the north London outfit had begun to turn the eyes of other sides, with Paris Saint-Germain among the rumoured suitors with his contract up next summer.

But the 22-year-old allayed the Gunners' fears by agreeing a new, long-term extension that will keep him at the club for another four years.

Fans will also have been encouraged to see him out in training for pre-season when Mikel Arteta's stars returned to London Colney earlier this week.

The Frenchman could be seen doing light ball work on the training field, as well as physical work inside the gym, as he prepares to work himself back into full fitness.

On his return to action, he may find himself lining up alongside a new defensive partner, with the club linked with a move for Ajax's Jurrien Timber.

The Dutch star piqued the interest of Manchester United last summer, but now looks set to join the Gunners as they bid to go one better next term.

Saliba had been partnered by Gabriel Magalhaes in the main for 2022-23, however with a return to the Champions League to consider, it appears that Arteta is keen to strengthen at the back, perhaps to avoid another debilitating injury to a key figure.

Arsenal have reportedly come to a £40m agreement with the Dutch club, and are hopeful of completing moves for both Timber and West Ham's Declan Rice this week.