Arsenal Faces Fan Backlash Over Squad Photo Snub
Supporters express disappointment as key player William Saliba is excluded from the team's annual photograph due to a medical appointment.
Arsenal is facing criticism from its fanbase after excluding a prominent player, William Saliba, from the club's annual squad photograph. The team lined up 24 players alongside manager Mikel Arteta and their Premier League and Community Shield trophies at their London Colney training ground. The absence of Saliba, who is currently sidelined with a back injury sustained during the World Cup, has drawn ire from supporters who believe the photoshoot should have been delayed.
Saliba has not played this season following his injury. Arsenal officials explained that the defender had a scheduled medical appointment, necessitating his exclusion from the photo. While the specific nature of the appointment was not disclosed, the club indicated that Saliba is progressing in his recovery and has resumed individual training.
Manager Mikel Arteta expressed optimism about Saliba's return, stating that the player is building his capacity and might be integrated into team training in the coming weeks. However, he cautioned that a precise timeline for Saliba's availability remains uncertain due to the specific nature of his injury. "We're still talking about weeks, and when that happens, it's very different whether he would play just before or just after [the November international break] because it's a very specific injury, that the healing process I cannot tell you exactly how he's going to react to," Arteta said.
Saliba was a crucial player for Arsenal last season, featuring in 31 of their title-winning Premier League matches and making 50 appearances across all competitions. The team reached the Champions League final for the first time since 2006, ultimately losing to Paris Saint-Germain.
Fans took to social media platform X to voice their discontent. Many argued that the club should have waited for Saliba to be available, emphasizing his significant contribution to the team's previous successes. Some described the decision as "very silly" and "very disrespectful," with calls for a rescheduled photoshoot to include the defender.