Saliba absent from Arsenal squad photo due to medical appointment

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 19:21 · Archive

William Saliba was absent from Arsenal's official 2026/27 squad photograph because he had a medical appointment.

William Saliba was absent from Arsenal's official first team squad photograph for the 2026/27 season, released on Wednesday. The French centre-back has not featured for the Premier League champions this season as he recovers from a serious back injury sustained during a World Cup semi-final defeat.

Arsenal confirmed that Saliba was unavailable for the photoshoot due to a medical appointment. The club statement said: 'Due to a medical appointment, William Saliba was not available this afternoon.' All other notable squad members appeared in the picture, including summer signings Ezri Konsa, Christos Tzolis, Ilan Meslier and Bruno Guimaraes, alongside teenagers Marli Salmon and Max Dowman. The club's resident therapy dog, Win, even featured in some versions of the photo.

Saliba is undergoing rehabilitation at Arsenal's Colney training ground and has decided against surgery. He has been working with specialists in London since the World Cup and has recently returned to on-pitch training. Arsenal are optimistic about his return to competitive play, with reports suggesting he could be available by November.

How it is being reported

• Why isn't William Saliba in Arsenal's 2026/27 team photo?French centre-back was brutally snubbed, with even the club dog includedEvening Standard · 14 Oct, 19:01
• Arsenal explain why key star missing from official 2067/27 squad photoArsenal’s official first team squad for the 2026/27 season minus William Saliba (Picture: Arsenal) Arsenal ’s first team players posed for their official 2026/27 squad photo but eagle-eyed supporters quickly spotted one notable absentee. Flanked by the Premier League trophy and Community Shield…Metro · 14 Oct, 14:33

In this story: William Saliba · Arsenal · Mikel Arteta · Spain · France

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