Arsenal were crowned Premier League champions on Tuesday night, and attention has subsequently turned to next weekend’s Champions League final for Mikel Arteta’s team.
The Gunners’ 22-year wait for a title ended when Bournemouth held Manchester City to a draw at the Vitality Stadium. Jubilant scenes unfolded outside the Emirates Stadium in the aftermath of this game on the south coast, while Arteta’s players celebrated wildly into the night.
The entire squad returned to Sohba Realty on Thursday morning, as attention quickly shifted back to what is still at stake. Arsenal play Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest in ten days, knowing they can cement themselves in the history books by claiming an unprecedented double.
We did it, together. pic.twitter.com/wQDp02LvLd
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 19, 2026
Three key Arsenal players absent from training on Thursday
Arsenal’s squad is finally almost entirely healthy heading into their last two matches of the season. Mikel Merino returned to the grass on Thursday, while Jurrien Timber is also now out on the training pitches at London Colney.
Ben White won’t feature in either of the last two fixtures after sustaining an MCL injury against West Ham, but other than that, Arsenal might be able to name every single senior player they have available in their squad for Budapest.
That said, concerns arose among Gunners supporters when none of William Saliba, Bukayo Saka or David Raya were pictured in Arsenal’s training session on Thursday morning. The North Londoners held an open session, and the on-watching media quickly noticed that the trio weren’t present.
However, journalist James Benge has revealed that all three players weren’t with the group as they’re working on their own individual training plans. Thursday’s workout was said to be ‘light’ anyway, and the players in question are likely nursing minor knocks and thus have been delegated to specialists who can take them through individual training.
Saliba, Saka and Raya not training with the group for what looks a very light session. Working on their own individual training plans.
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) May 21, 2026
It’s likely that this measure was precautionary, and that all three shouldn’t have any issues being ready for the meeting with PSG.
Mikel Arteta shouldn’t risk any of these players against Crystal Palace
Before heading to Hungary, Arsenal still have one more domestic fixture to deal with. Crystal Palace await at Selhurst Park, in what will be a celebratory occasion for the Gunners.
Arteta will still need to put together a starting eleven, and he should certainly err on the side of caution. Anybody in the red zone shouldn’t feature, and this likely includes the trio training individually.
The Arsenal. Your Premier League champions. pic.twitter.com/gNnfzesrhP
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 19, 2026
The Spanish manager cannot afford to risk playing any of his key players in such a meaningless affair. The likes of Raya, Saliba, Saka, Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes should play no role at all, with PSG the primary focus.
On the flip side, this game could grant the likes of Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Gabriel Jesus an opportunity to bow out as Arsenal players in front of a buoyant away end.