Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for the Premier League title last season. They finished seven points clear of Manchester City and reached the Champions League final. Life couldn’t have been much sweeter in north London.
But here’s the problem. The 2026 World Cup has left Mikel Arteta’s squad battered, bruised, and racing against the clock before the new campaign kicks off on August 21.
Can the Gunners really defend their crown when so many key players are struggling?
Saliba’s Back Injury Throws Defence Into Uncertainty
The biggest concern is William Saliba. The France centre-back was forced off just 30 minutes into the World Cup semi-final against Spain after his back gave way.
Arsenal have since confirmed he’ll miss an extended period. Surgery isn’t required, but he’s begun a managed rehabilitation programme. No return date has been set.
What’s worrying is how long he’d been carrying the issue. France manager Didier Deschamps admitted after the semi-final that Saliba’s discomfort had become “unbearable.”
Saliba himself had acknowledged the problem before the tournament even started. He’d been dealing with niggles since March but pushed through for Arsenal’s title run and then France’s World Cup campaign.
Within Arsenal’s first ten fixtures, they’ll travel to Aston Villa and Liverpool. Starting that stretch without their best centre-back would be a serious concern.
Rice and Saka Carry Their Own Fitness Worries
Saliba isn’t the only headache for Arteta.
Declan Rice has been managing neural pain in his hamstring and lower back for more than six months. He also battled illness during the World Cup, which forced him off at half-time during England’s quarter-final win over Norway.
Bukayo Saka arrived at the tournament carrying an Achilles issue. England manager Thomas Tuchel carefully rotated him throughout, limiting his starts to keep him fresh for knockout rounds.
Both players will be assessed when they return to London. Arsenal are prepared to extend their recovery periods if needed. That’s the smart approach, but it means Arteta could be without two of his most important attackers for the opening weeks.
Then there’s Martin Odegaard. Norway’s remarkable run to the quarter-finals, including a stunning upset of Brazil, means the Arsenal captain isn’t expected back until the week of August 3. That leaves him with barely two weeks before the Premier League opener.
Here’s the full picture of Arsenal’s World Cup returnees and their situations:
- Saliba: out for an extended period, back injury rehabilitation
- Rice: hamstring and back neural pain, plus illness during the tournament
- Saka: managing an ongoing Achilles problem
- Odegaard: delayed return after Norway’s deep World Cup run
- Raya, Merino, Zubimendi: involved in Spain’s final run
Players who competed in the closing stages won’t be eligible to return to training until August 10. Arsenal’s pre-season opener against Girona is August 1. The Community Shield clash with Manchester City is August 16.
That’s a brutally tight window.
Bright Spots Amid the Worry
It’s not all doom and gloom, though.
Ben White has provided a welcome boost. The defender suffered a significant medial knee ligament injury against West Ham in May, which ruled him out of the Champions League final and the World Cup. But he’s back in full training and sounding positive.
“I’ve been training every day,” White said. “Knee’s all good. Started training back with the team last week.”
Jurrien Timber is also progressing, though his update was less definitive. “Getting there slowly, trying hard,” the Dutchman said.
Arsenal’s pre-season also offers a chance for younger players to impress. With so many senior internationals unavailable, academy prospects and loan returnees like Ethan Nwaneri and Reiss Nelson could feature prominently in the early friendlies.
New goalkeeper Illan Meslier has already joined the group following his move from Leeds.
The reality, though, is that Arsenal’s medical staff face an enormous balancing act. Push players back too quickly and risk injuries that derail the entire season. Take too long and the champions could start the campaign on the back foot.
It’s the kind of dilemma no title-winning squad wants, but it’s the price of having so many world-class internationals on the books. How Arteta and his staff navigate the next four weeks could shape Arsenal’s entire 2026/27 season.
