Why isn't William Saliba in Arsenal's 2026/27 team photo?

Saliba absent from Arsenal's 2026/27 team photo due to a medical appointment; the centre-back is recovering from a back injury and expected to return by November.

William Saliba was notably absent from Arsenal's official 2026/27 squad photo released Wednesday, though the club confirmed he was attending a medical appointment at the time. The French centre-back has not featured this season as he recovers from a long-standing back injury, which he and Arsenal have opted to manage through rehabilitation rather than surgery at the club's Colney training ground. He has been working with London-based specialists since the World Cup and has recently returned to on-pitch work. Arsenal are optimistic he will be fit for competitive play by November.