Arteta confirms Saliba squad photo absence was logistical as Arsenal plan retake

Mikel Arteta has moved to reassure Arsenal supporters that William Saliba’s absence from the club’s 2026/27 season squad photo was purely logistical, revealing the image will be retaken once the defender is available.

Saliba is currently sidelined with a long-term back injury sustained while representing France at the World Cup this summer, with the 25-year-old ruled out for what Arsenal described as an “extended period”. When the Premier League champions released their squad photo this week, fans were quick to notice the centre-back was missing.

The club clarified that Saliba had been absent due to a medical appointment, and Arteta expanded on the circumstances at a press conference, explaining that scheduling difficulties had already forced multiple postponements before the photo was finally taken.

“What happened was that we have tried to do that picture three times already and we had to cancel it last minute for different reasons,” Arteta said. “We had some commercial obligations, we had some people who came to do that, so we decided to do that picture. At least we will have another picture with the whole family. Hopefully we can get them all together at some point one day, and we’ll announce that.”

Arteta was keen to stress that Saliba himself is in good spirits, despite becoming the target of some dressing-room humour over the episode. “It wasn’t in his hands. Willy is normally happy about everything. He knows how loved he is. He was taking some banter from the players and he is completely fine.”

On the injury front, Arteta offered an encouraging update, revealing that Saliba is due another MRI scan next week and that the signs so far have been encouraging. “Every sign so far has been very, very positive. It will be good to have him,” the Arsenal manager said.