W.Saliba [Exclusive]: We never know but I think we'd have won the league in 2023 had I stayed fit

By Alessandro Schiavone at Emirates Stadium

William Saliba is convinced Arsenal would have got over the line in last year's title race had he not suffered a season-ending back injury in early April.

The prominent Frenchman agonizingly watched on as Arsenal failed to win five of their 11 games in his absence, paving the way for Manchester City's triumph.

That has led to many observers agreeing that there's an Arsenal side with and one without him.

It took Saliba, 22, three loan spells at as many different clubs following his arrival from Saint-Etienne in 2019 to finally get a chance in north London.

Talking exclusively to Capital Football, Saliba said:

"[With me] Arsenal would have had more chances to [win the league last year] because I am an important player for the team.

"But we will never know for certain!

"I just hope everyone stays fit this time around so as to try and help us win the title."

Arsenal leapfrogged Liverpool and Man City at the top of the Premier League pile following their stuttering 2-1 win over Brentford.

But despite making heavy weather of the Bees for Saliba there were a number of positives, not least the fact that Arsenal showed character, something they were not always associated with in the past.

And Saliba said: "[Against Brentford] it was not an easy game.

"We conceded the equaliser in the first-half but we managed to retake the lead. It wasn't easy.

"We have a very good mentality this year having learned from last season's mistakes.

"It's in games like this that we have to show our desire and attitude.

"Against Brentford we showed that we don't give up, we'll leave no stone unturned."