Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made a bold and surprising decision in naming his 23-man squad for the Champions League league phase, opting to utilize only 23 of the 25 available slots on the Gunners’ ‘A’ List. The most shocking omission is Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus, who has been left out as he continues his recovery from a devastating ACL injury sustained in January during Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United. This move highlights Arteta’s ruthless approach to squad selection as Arsenal gear up for a critical European campaign.
Strategic Squad Selection
The Champions League squad rules allow a maximum of 25 players on the ‘A’ List, with the number of eligible slots adjusted based on the inclusion of locally trained players. Arsenal’s 23-man ‘A’ List features a blend of established stars and new faces, including all eight of the club’s senior summer signings: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Piero Hincapie, Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Ebere Eze, and Viktor Gyokeres. Additionally, young goalkeeper Tommy Setford, who joined from Ajax in 2024, has earned a spot, showcasing Arteta’s faith in emerging talent.
The squad also includes 15-year-old prodigy Max Dowman, a surprising addition to the ‘A’ List despite his eligibility for the ‘B’ List, which is reserved for players born in 2004 or later who have been with Arsenal for at least two years since their 15th birthday. Academy stars Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who meet these criteria, are expected to be named on the ‘B’ List, freeing up space on the main roster. Dowman’s inclusion on the ‘A’ List is a tactical move, as he will turn 16 on New Year’s Eve, allowing him to transition to the ‘B’ List in January. This would open a slot for Gabriel Jesus, should the striker regain fitness for the knockout stages.
A Record-Breaking Opportunity for Dowman
Max Dowman has already made history as the Premier League’s second-youngest player, trailing only teammate Ethan Nwaneri. Now, the teenage sensation has a chance to etch his name in the Champions League record books. If Dowman plays even a single minute in any of Arsenal’s first six league phase matches, he could surpass Youssoufa Moukoko’s record as the youngest player to feature in the Champions League proper. Moukoko was 16 years and 18 days old when he debuted for Borussia Dortmund in 2020, and Dowman, who turns 16 on December 31, 2025, is poised to break that mark before the year ends.
Arsenal’s Champions League Journey
Arsenal’s European campaign kicks off on September 16 with an away clash against Athletic Bilbao, followed by their first home game against Olympiacos on October 1. The Gunners will then face a challenging slate of fixtures against Atletico Madrid, Slavia Prague, Bayern Munich, and Club Brugge before the new year, with Inter Milan and Kairat Almaty awaiting in January. Last season, Arsenal impressed in the league phase, finishing third with only a single loss to Inter Milan across eight matches. They navigated knockout ties against PSV Eindhoven and Real Madrid before falling to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals.
Arteta’s Calculated Risk
Arteta’s decision to exclude Gabriel Jesus underscores the manager’s focus on fielding a fully fit squad for the demanding league phase. While Jesus’s absence is a significant blow, the inclusion of versatile summer signings and the potential of young talents like Dowman reflect Arteta’s confidence in his squad’s depth. The flexibility to adjust the roster in January, particularly with Dowman’s eligibility for the ‘B’ List, provides Arsenal with a strategic advantage as they aim to go deeper in the competition this season.
As Arsenal embark on their Champions League journey, all eyes will be on Arteta’s bold choices and whether his gamble on youth and new arrivals can propel the Gunners to European glory. For now, the stage is set for Max Dowman to potentially make history and for Arsenal to make a statement in Europe.