William Saliba Injury: Best Arsenal Defenders for FPL Gameweek 1

Last updated: 27 July 2026

Arsenal have confirmed that William Saliba suffered a back injury during the World Cup and is expected to be unavailable for an extended period.

Surgery is not currently recommended, but Saliba will complete a managed rehabilitation programme. The update strengthens the appeal of Arsenal's remaining defenders while creating an important position battle beside Gabriel.

Arsenal begin the Premier League season at home to promoted Coventry City. They also face only one of last season's top six across their opening eight fixtures.

What Saliba's absence changes

Saliba was one of Arsenal's most secure starters. His injury does not weaken the appeal of the entire defence, but it changes the expected lineup and the value of the players competing to replace him.

Use the OneFPL Player Lab to compare the defenders and check the latest ownership, price and availability.

Gabriel remains the premium option

Gabriel scored 209 FPL points last season through clean sheets, goals, assists, defensive contributions and bonus.

Saliba's absence makes Gabriel even more important to Arsenal's defensive structure. He should remain the most secure centre-back and a major target at attacking set pieces.

Gabriel is worth considering when:

• Arsenal's clean-sheet potential is clearly stronger than the alternatives
• You want a set-and-forget defender
• His attacking threat supports the premium price
• The rest of your squad still contains a reliable captain and bench

He becomes harder to afford in a team containing Haaland and Bruno Fernandes.

Raya is the safest value route

Raya costs £2.0m less than Gabriel and offers the same clean-sheet points.

He does not provide Gabriel's goal threat, but he allows the saving to be used elsewhere. A £2.0m upgrade can materially improve a midfielder, forward or bench player.

Compare Raya and Gabriel in the OneFPL Planner by building two versions of the same squad.

Which £5.5m defender could emerge?

Riccardo Calafiori

Calafiori can play at left-back or centre-back. His versatility improves his chance of starting but also makes his exact position less predictable.

Piero Hincapié

Hincapié can also cover both centre-back and left-back. He becomes especially interesting if Arsenal use him centrally while keeping a more attacking full-back outside him.

Cristhian Mosquera

Mosquera is the most direct centre-back replacement. If he starts the Community Shield and final friendly beside Gabriel, he could become the simplest low-cost route into Arsenal's defence.

Ben White

White has Premier League experience and greater attacking upside than a traditional centre-back. His value depends on fitness and whether Arsenal need him at right-back.

What to watch in pre-season

Track:

1. Who starts beside Gabriel
2. Who plays in the Community Shield
3. Whether the same back four starts the final friendly
4. Which defender is substituted first
5. Manager comments on Saliba's recovery
6. Any additional defensive transfer

The final major friendly is more useful than an early training photograph.

Should you double Arsenal defence?

A Raya and Gabriel double-up is expensive but credible.

A Raya plus £5.5m defender structure offers greater value when the cheaper defender becomes secure. Gabriel plus a £5.5m teammate provides the highest ceiling but concentrates significant money in one defence.

Check Arsenal's upcoming opponents through OneFPL Fixtures.

OneFPL verdict

• Best premium option: Gabriel
• Best secure value: Raya
• Best potential bargain: The £5.5m defender who wins Saliba's position
• Best current strategy: Own one Arsenal defender and wait for the Community Shield before deciding on a double-up

Follow the latest updates through OneFPL Injury News.

FAQ

How long will William Saliba be out?

Arsenal have only said that he will be unavailable for an extended period. No exact return date has been confirmed.

Is Gabriel worth £8.0m?

He can be when Arsenal maintain elite clean-sheet numbers and he continues producing attacking and defensive-contribution points.

Who will replace Saliba?

Calafiori, Hincapié, Mosquera and White are the main internal options. Pre-season lineups should identify the early favourite.

Is Raya better value than Gabriel?

Raya is cheaper and provides secure clean-sheet coverage. Gabriel offers a much higher attacking ceiling.

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