Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has publicly placed Arsenal among his principal picks to challenge for the Premier League title, citing the established relationships at the heart of the team. Asked for his title predictions by BILD, Mbappé highlighted Arsenal’s core of players — William Saliba, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka among others — as a reason for optimism that the club could finally end its long wait.

“Of course, Liverpool has to be mentioned first and foremost, as they’re determined to win one title after another,” he explained. “But I also have high hopes for Arsenal, because the core of the team has known each other for a long time, and that’s a crucial factor in football.

“And Manchester City is always at the forefront anyway, with Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland.”

Pressed for a clearer prediction, Mbappé conceded the choice was difficult and offered Arsenal as a possible winner. “That’s tough,” the Real Madrid forward said. “Maybe Arsenal, maybe it will be their year. It would certainly be easier to say City or Liverpool.”

Those remarks arrive with the Premier League table still taking shape after the opening fixtures. Liverpool have opened up a two-point lead after the first three games of the season, a position helped by a 1–0 victory over Arteta’s Arsenal before the international break. Arsenal sit third, with two wins from three games.

Manchester City, meanwhile, have started poorly by their standards and find themselves 13th after two straight defeats, a run that has piled the pressure back on Guardiola. Mbappé’s assessment underlines the tightness of the race and the belief that squad cohesion can be as important as high-profile signings when the title is decided.

Arsenal began the 2025–26 campaign facing immediate selection headaches as Mikel Arteta manages another run of early injuries. The club travelled to Anfield before the international break without Bukayo Saka and with Martin Ødegaard only fit enough for a bench place. Minutes into that fixture, William Saliba was forced off with an ankle issue.

Summer signing Cristhian Mosquera stepped in and delivered a composed performance in a low-key game, ensuring Hugo Ekitiké didn’t continue his impressive start to life on Merseyside. Mosquera’s display will ease concerns about a defensive collapse in Saliba’s absence, as happened at the backend of 2022–23, and the 21-year-old is expected to see significant minutes while Saliba recovers.

Latest reports suggest Arsenal could be without Saliba for up to a month after he withdrew from the France squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. If that timeframe proves accurate, Arteta’s side face a congested September without one of their defensive pillars, with five matches scheduled before the month ends.

Those matches include the home Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off, and a Champions League opener away at Athletic Club next Tuesday as the competition begins. Saliba has typically gotten the better of Erling Haaland in their head-to-heads, but he is set to miss Manchester City’s visit to the Emirates on September 21.

He likely would not have featured in the Carabao Cup third-round tie at Port Vale, although Arteta has previously relied on some of his key players in similar cup fixtures. The Gunners have lost their previous three visits to St James’ Park and are poised to be without their No. 2 for the long trip up to Tyneside on the final Sunday of September. Newcastle United may no longer have Alexander Isak in their ranks, but two new additions, Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, are aiming to make quick early impressions.

Arteta will need to balance rotation and protection of Saliba while navigating a busy schedule if the month-long absence materialises.

William Saliba faces a potentially significant absence after withdrawing from the France squad because of an ankle problem. He had been named in the international group for this month’s fixtures but pulled out soon after discussions with the national team doctor. A statement diagnosed Saliba with a “sprained left ankle”.

According to L’Équipe, the view inside the France camp is that Saliba will not be available until after the October international break, a layoff that could last as much as four weeks for Arsenal. Such a period on the sidelines would come at a difficult time for Arteta’s side, who have a demanding run of fixtures ahead.

In the Premier League the club host Nottingham Forest next weekend and then Manchester City the following week. There is also a trip to Newcastle United and a home match against West Ham United before club football pauses again. Arsenal also appear set to begin their Champions League group phase without Saliba, with Athletic Club and Olympiacos listed among early opponents.

A Carabao Cup third-round tie with Port Vale is also scheduled but Saliba was always likely to be rested for that match. At centre back the short-term options are clear. Cristhian Mosquera replaced Saliba against Liverpool and is a contender to do so again while Deadline Day signing Piero Hincapié may have moved up the pecking order after his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen.

Riccardo Calafiori, who has started the season at left back but can operate centrally, offers further cover, and Myles Lewis-Skelly is ready to return on the left if needed. The club will manage the situation with those options available while monitoring Saliba’s recovery and the timeline set out by medical staff.