Arsenal Sign Meslier on Free Transfer
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- Arsenal signed Illan Meslier on a free transfer a week after his release by Leeds United, with the 26-year-old Frenchman expected to serve as third-choice goalkeeper behind David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
- Meslier spent seven seasons at Elland Road, making 215 appearances in all competitions and keeping 70 clean sheets, but fell to third-choice last term behind Karl Darlow and Lucas Perri and made zero first-team appearances.
- Meslier lost his starting place to Darlow at the end of the 2024-25 Championship season after three errors leading directly to a goal, having previously helped Leeds win promotion to the Premier League that same campaign.
- Tommy Setford, the 20-year-old, is expected to be allowed to go out on loan to make room for Meslier in Arsenal's newly structured goalkeeping hierarchy.
- Kepa Arrizabalaga's future remains uncertain — Sky Sports News understands he would be open to becoming a No. 1 if the right club came in, though he is in no rush to leave and nothing has developed yet.
Why it matters: Arsenal get experienced depth behind David Raya for free, while the Meslier signing clears a path for 20-year-old Tommy Setford to gain first-team experience on loan. The Kepa situation remains the bigger variable: if he departs for a starting role elsewhere, Meslier could climb to second-choice faster than expected.
