A behind-the-scenes look at the official Arsenal first-team squad photo that took place at the Sobha Realty Training Ground this week.

This week, Arsenal posed for an annual first-team squad photo at the Sobha Realty Training Ground. The Gunners put preparations for Sunday afternoon's clash against Nottingham Forest on hold for a few moments as they came together to formally mark the start of the 2026/27 campaign.

Unlike last year, Arsenal had some silverware on show, having won the Premier League for the first time in over 20 years and defeating Manchester City in the Community Shield. The Gunners also splashed the cash in the summer, forking out £194.3m on signings and generating £115.9m from sales, so there were a few new faces on display.

Even 'Win' the dog, the chocolate labrador who often roams the training facility, featured in some capacity, appearing in some of the shots, but unfortunately, he didn't make the final cut!

So, with that being said, football.london has spotted five things you may have missed from the Arsenal team photo.

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Saliba absence explained

William Saliba was not available for the photoshoot due to a medical appointment. The Arsenal defender, who has been nursing a back problem and has yet to even feature this season, recently began training individually on the grass.

Speaking to reporters at the Sobha Realty Training Centre on Monday afternoon, Arteta provided an update on Saliba. Ahead of the Gunners' win over Lille in the Champions League, the Spaniard said: "Now it's over a week, I think.

"He'll be managing that load, and how many repetitions and sessions in a row he can do, but he's building now his capacity to good standards, and let's see in the next few weeks we can start to introduce him with the team, and to see where we are to actually make him available."

Eze promoted to front row

Eberechi Eze was promoted to a front row seat in the Arsenal team photo. Last season, shortly after swapping Selhurst Park for the Emirates Stadium in a deal worth £67.5m, the Gunners midfielder stood in the second row.

But, following the departure of Gabriel Martinelli, whom Arsenal sold to Al Hilal for £60m in the summer, Eze was moved forward, sitting beside Ben White, Mikel Merino, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka, who each returned to the same seat.

Madueke dons headband

Noni Madueke decided to wear a headband this year. Last season, following a £50m transfer from Chelsea, the Arsenal winger opted against wearing the accessory, despite often donning it in matches and training.

Gabriel shows off pearly whites

Gabriel Magalhaes was keen to show off his pearly whites this year. The Arsenal defender wasn't exactly grinning from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat, but he did show his teeth, which makes a change from last year, when he opted for the mean and moody look.

Leapt like a Salmon

Marli Salmon earned a place in the Arsenal team photo. The Hale End prospect, who made his senior debut in December 2025, when the Gunners enjoyed a 3-0 away win over Club Brugge in the Champions League, squeezed into the back row alongside the goalkeepers and Piero Hincapie.

Get the badge in

Perhaps the biggest change to the Arsenal team photo was the addition of some shiny furniture. The Gunners were, of course, keen to show off the Premier League trophy and the Community Shield, which sat either side of Arteta.

A few players were even keen to show off the neatly-ironed golden lion on their sleeve. Whether it was just the fitting of the shirts, the direction of the wind, or a conscious effort to get the badge in, Odegaard made sure it was obvious that Arsenal were the reigning champions of England.