Arsenal are back in the swing of pre-season training this week as their World Cup players return from Qatar 2026. The north London club, fresh off their first Premier League title in 21 years, must now integrate 15 players who featured in the summer tournament while managing fresh injuries.

How many Arsenal players were at the World Cup?

Arsenal sent 15 players to Qatar 2026, the most of any Premier League side. Spain’s Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and David Raya lifted the trophy, while England’s Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke reached the third-place play-off. Brazil’s Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli bowed out in the last 16, while Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Piero Hincapie exited at the round of 32. Martin Odegaard’s Norway and Leandro Trossard’s Belgium both fell in the quarter-finals, though Trossard has since left for Besiktas for €20 million.

Which players picked up injuries?

William Saliba missed France’s 6-4 loss to England with a back issue that flared up in the semi-final. The 25-year-old admitted he’d been “gritting his teeth” through minor niggles for months. Declan Rice (hamstring) and Saka (Achilles) also needed careful management by England’s staff, though both played and scored in that final game. Saliba’s return date remains unclear more than a week after the injury.

When do World Cup players return to training?

All World Cup participants get three weeks off after their country’s elimination. Those knocked out at the round of 32-played between June 29 and July 3-are back this week. Gabriel and Martinelli could report before Arsenal’s first pre-season friendly away to Girona on August 1, while Odegaard returns shortly after since Norway exited on July 11. The eight players who made it to the final weekend can return after the August 9 home clash with Borussia Dortmund, three weeks after the World Cup final.

Arsenal sit top of the Premier League on 85 points from 38 games, seven clear of Manchester City, with a +44 goal difference and four straight wins. Their next test comes at home to Dortmund on August 9.