Former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere has identified William Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice as the three players whose fitness will most influence the Gunners’ prospects in the 2026-27 Premier League season. Speaking to Tribal Football ahead of the new campaign, Aliadiere said Mikel Arteta’s side are strong contenders to defend the title they won last season but warned that injury absences for the trio could undermine their start.
Aliadiere praised the club’s recent recruitment as a clear statement of intent. “Arsenal already possesses an excellent squad, but their current investment represents a significant move and a declaration of their intent to advance and defend their title,” he said. “Therefore, in my opinion, Arsenal has the most formidable squad to win the title again.”
However, the former forward highlighted immediate concerns. Saka and Rice are expected to rejoin the squad shortly, but the speed of their return to full match sharpness remains uncertain. “Saka and Rice are pivotal players, and if their recovery takes time, Arsenal might face challenges,” Aliadiere noted. Saliba is also sidelined for a period, depriving the defence of the established partnership between the Frenchman and Gabriel Magalhães. That absence raises questions over who will partner Gabriel in the early weeks. Aliadiere asked whether Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie or Riccardo Calafiori can step in and help the team begin the season positively.
Despite those worries, Aliadiere expressed confidence in the depth Arteta has assembled. “These are concerns, but I am confident that with a larger and more robust squad, Arsenal can navigate any challenges,” he concluded.
Arsenal’s title defence will therefore hinge on how quickly their key players regain peak condition and whether the squad’s expanded options can cover the interim period. The coming weeks of pre‑season preparation and early league fixtures will offer the first test of that resilience.
