Arsenal could be without a number of players for the opening game of the 2026/27 Premier League season as the new campaign's schedule is announced
Declan Rice of Arsenal during the training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026 Final at Puskas Arena
England's Arsenal contingent would be among the more damaging absences if they were to miss the start of the 2026/27 season(Image: Marc Atkins, Getty Images)
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Arsenal's first Premier League title defence in 22 years reaches its first milestone as the fixtures for the forthcoming season are unveiled. Fans are eagerly anticipating Friday's reveal to find out who Mikel Arteta's side will face first.
This campaign, however, comes with a notable asterisk attached. The Gunners could find themselves somewhat short-handed at the very start of the season due to potential disruption caused by World Cup 2026.
The tournament in North America is barely a week old and still has a month left to run. The 2026/27 Premier League season then gets under way roughly four weeks after that, which may sound like sufficient time to recuperate on paper.
Yet it isn't quite as simple as that given how close to the end of last season the World Cup got started. Any of the 15 Arsenal players currently at the tournament who feature in the final on July 19 may well need a substantial period of rest before they are ready to hit the ground running.
The Gunners endured a particularly gruelling 2025/26 campaign after finally getting their hands on the league title before going on to compete in the Champions League final, where they suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Consequently, certain stars may not be fully prepared for the opening fixtures of the new campaign when it kicks off on August 22.
And it could prove especially problematic for Arteta should England and Spain both reach the final. Such a scenario could see as many as seven combined players unavailable for the season-opener.
Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze are each currently featuring for the Three Lions across the Atlantic. Meanwhile, David Raya, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi are representing Spain.
Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga and David Raya of Arsenal pose for a photograph with the Premier League trophy (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League)
David Raya (R) and Martin Zubimendi (2L) could be very big misses for Mikel Arteta in the earlies stages of next season(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League)
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Brazil are the only other World Cup contender with more than one Arsenal player. Key defender Gabriel and winger Gabriel Martinelli are looking to flourish under Carlo Ancelotti, though they made an underwhelming start following a 1-1 draw with Morocco.
Every other at-risk player is the sole Arsenal representative in their respective squads. However, William Saliba (France) and Kai Havertz (Germany) may be viewed as having particular potential to progress far in the World Cup.
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Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke - England
William Saliba - France
Kai Havertz - Germany
David Raya, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi - Spain
Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli - Brazil
Martin Odegaard - Norway
Viktor Gyokeres - Sweden
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