Reporting note: this article draws on Sky Sports; Score808 Live provides the summary and editorial framing.
William Saliba injury update and squad photo absence
Arsenal have clarified the sequence behind their latest official club portrait. The William Saliba injury update emerged alongside explanations for his notable absence from the 2026/27 squad photograph released this week. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the squad will assemble for a replacement shoot once their central defender is present.
The club initially attributed the absence to a scheduled medical appointment. Saliba has not recorded a competitive minute this season due to an ongoing back injury. With 184 appearances for the club, his omission from the defensive alignment created immediate external scrutiny.
Arteta explains commercial scheduling constraints
Mikel Arteta outlined the operational friction that forced the photo shoot ahead of Arsenal's away fixture at Nottingham Forest. Internal efforts to stage the session were repeatedly aborted prior to the release.
"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. We had some commercial obligations, we had some people who flew over to do that, so we decided to do that picture."
The manager verified that a full squad retake remains scheduled to restore the unit's complete geometry. Arteta added that the 25-year-old French defender absorbed internal dressing-room banter regarding the event without friction.
Rehabilitation timeline and diagnostic imaging
Saliba relocated his recovery trajectory to the grass earlier this month, initiating pitch-level conditioning blocks. His structural integration into full-contact sessions remains contingent on upcoming clinical imaging tests.
- Physical progression: On-pitch individual running and mechanical loading initiated earlier this month.
- Next clinical milestone: A scheduled MRI scan next week will evaluate spinal healing velocity.
- Roster impact: Central defensive depth remains altered while waiting for medical clearance.
Arteta confirmed the diagnostic protocol:
"I think next week we have another MRI with him to see how the healing process is going. But every sign so far has been very, very positive. It will be good to have him."
Arsenal now prepare their defensive line for Nottingham Forest while monitoring the medical progression of their primary center-back.
Original reporting provided by skysports.com.
