Overview
- Arsenal announced on Friday that they have signed 26-year-old Illan Meslier on a two-year contract with an option for a further year after his Leeds deal expired.
- Meslier joins as experienced cover behind David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga and has been given the number 30 shirt and a place in full pre-season training.
- Reports say Meslier lost his place at Leeds last season and did not play competitively, which raises questions about his recent form despite his roughly 215 senior English appearances.
- The signing is expected to free academy goalkeeper Tommy Setford to go out on loan for regular games and preserves transfer funds for Arsenal as they prepare for a busy campaign.
- Media reports add that Meslier turned down a guaranteed starting offer elsewhere and that Kepa’s uncertain future could quickly make Meslier Arsenal’s second-choice keeper.