William Saliba misses Arsenal official photo as questions grow over defender's situation

Arsenal's squad posed for the traditional official team photo of the 2026-27 season and there was one absence impossible to ignore: William Saliba. The French centre-back, who was essential last year in winning the Premier League title and reaching the Champions League final, did not appear alongside his teammates, and the club's explanation has not fully convinced the Gunners faithful.

• William Saliba did not take part in Arsenal's official 2026-27 team photo due to a medical appointment, according to the club.
• Saliba is dealing with a stress fracture in his back that has kept him from making his season debut.
• Speculation is growing in England about a possible disagreement between the player and the club.
• The defender is under contract until 2030 and his return to action is expected in November.

Arsenal team photo fuels speculation over Saliba

Arsenal shared the team picture on social media, presenting the squad as the class of 26/27, but it quickly became clear that one of the club's most recognizable faces was missing. William Saliba, 25, was not in the photograph despite being seen as a leader in the dressing room and one of Mikel Arteta's most trusted players.

The club argued that the defender could not attend because he had a medical appointment, a reason many supporters struggled to understand. At a club like Arsenal, rescheduling a team photo is rarely an issue when it involves a player of that importance. The fan logic is simple: if Saliba is that vital to the project, you find another day.

Back stress fracture and a World Cup played through pain

Saliba arrived at the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada carrying back problems that had been bothering him for months. With the French national team he lasted until the 28th minute of the semi-final against Spain, with the score 1-0 against his side, before he could not continue. The tournament revealed the true extent of his physical problem.

French media reported that the centre-back had hidden a stress fracture suffered with Arsenal in a Premier League match so he would not miss the World Cup. After the competition, the London club's medical staff examined him and chose a conservative treatment plan rather than surgery.

Return set for November as Arsenal await defensive boost

In recent weeks Saliba has started working on the grass and doing running as part of the recovery plan set by Arsenal's medical team. His return to competition is targeted for November, provided there are no setbacks in the final stage of his rehabilitation.

The defender has yet to play a single minute this season for the Gunners, forcing Arteta to adjust his back line during the opening weeks of the campaign. The Premier League is already missing one of its most dominant centre-backs, and Arsenal need his composure back as soon as possible.

Contract until 2030 as silence adds to the rumours

Saliba is under contract at Arsenal until 2030 and was an undisputed starter for Arteta last season, but his absence from the official photo has reopened the debate about his situation. There is a growing sense around the club that his decision to push through the World Cup, or perhaps to avoid surgery, did not go down well at the Emirates.

For now it is all speculation, but what seems clear is that there is something more than a simple medical appointment behind his absence from a picture that could have been part of the club's history. Arsenal fans are hoping Saliba returns in November and that, by then, the doubts will be buried.

He missed the official photo due to a medical appointment. The club's explanation has not convinced part of the fanbase.