Arsenal’s first Premier League title defence in 22 years could begin without as many as 15 first-team players, with the club’s World Cup 2026 contingent facing a race against time to be fit for the new season.
The fixtures for the 2026/27 campaign will be unveiled on Friday, but the schedule comes with a notable complication: the World Cup in North America is barely a week old and will not conclude until the final on July 19. The Premier League season then kicks off on August 22, leaving just over four weeks for players who feature deep into the tournament to rest and prepare.
“Arsenal could start title defence without up to 15 World Cup players if England and Spain reach final.”
Mikel Arteta’s side endured a gruelling 2025/26 campaign, winning the league title before suffering a heartbreaking defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final. Now, the Gunners could be short-handed at the very start of the new season, particularly if England and Spain both reach the World Cup final. That scenario would leave seven key Arsenal players unavailable: Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze for England, plus David Raya, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi for Spain.
Raya, who kept 19 clean sheets and won his third straight Golden Glove last season, was described as “the difference for Arsenal” in a campaign that saw the club concede just 27 league goals – their best defensive record since the Invincibles in 2003-04. His game-defining interventions, including a smothering save from Mateus Fernandes against West Ham in the final fortnight, were central to the title charge.
Arsenal also set a Premier League record with 18 goals from corners, a threat driven by Gabriel Magalhães’ aerial presence. The Brazilian contributed three goals and four assists in 32 appearances, finishing with 17 clean sheets – more than any other defender. His centre-back partner William Saliba, who admitted last season “I have not been so good. I have to watch my partner, Gabriel, who has been so, so good,” completed 92.9% of his passes and was dribbled past only seven times, the third-fewest in the division.
Other Arsenal players at the World Cup include Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhães with Brazil, William Saliba with France, and Kai Havertz with Germany. Every other at-risk player is the sole Arsenal representative in their respective squads.
With the title defence set to begin on August 22, Arteta faces an anxious wait to see how many of his stars will be ready in time.