Arteta says Saliba has no issues after missing Arsenal team photo due to medical appointment
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said defender William Saliba has no problem with missing the club’s official team photo taken this week, explaining that Saliba’s absence was due to a medical appointment. Arteta noted the photo session had been attempted three times already but was called off each time for various reasons, and with outside personnel present they decided to go ahead without the French international.
He added that at least another photo with the full squad will be taken later and announced when possible. When asked about Saliba’s reaction, Arteta said the situation was out of Saliba’s control, describing him as normally happy, aware of how much he is loved by the club, and that he was taking banter from teammates and is completely fine.
The clarification comes amid fan speculation about possible tension after Saliba was omitted from the high‑visibility image, a spot usually reserved for the starting XI. Arteta’s remarks aim to quell concerns that the defender might be unhappy or isolated within the squad, emphasizing that the miss was purely logistical and not reflective of any discord.
Will you view this as a simple scheduling hiccup, or does it raise questions about squad harmony and communication within the Arsenal camp?