Illan Meslier arrives after turning down the chance to become a guaranteed number one elsewhere.
Illan Meslier has officially joined Arsenal on a free transfer after leaving Leeds United at the end of his contract in June.
The French goalkeeper moves to north London with his role clear. He will begin as understudy to David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga, although Kepa is considering offers and can leave Arsenal for £5million, the same release clause Arsenal activated to sign him from Chelsea.
Meslier completed his medical and signed his contract at London Colney earlier this week.
He chose Arsenal despite the chance to become a guaranteed number one elsewhere, with Birmingham among the clubs understood to have offered him an immediate starting role.
Meslier is 26 and made 215 appearances for Leeds and spent a long spell as their first choice.
“I’m extremely happy,” he said after his arrival was official. “It’s a great day for me because I have just joined the champions. For me, Arsenal is the biggest club in England.
“I’m very happy and very proud to join Arsenal. I cannot wait to show the love that I’ve got for this badge, and I cannot wait to win trophies with this team, because this is a club that needs to lift trophies again and again.”
There could still be movement in the goalkeeping group. Tommy Setford is expected to leave on loan, while Kepa’s future remains open.
If Kepa goes, Meslier could become second choice behind Raya quickly. If Kepa stays, Arsenal still have three experienced keepers in place.
Meslier’s final period at Elland Road was difficult. He dropped to the bench in April 2025, then slipped out of the squad for much of 2025/26 as Leeds turned first to Lucas Perri and then to Karl Darlow.
That opened the way for a free transfer, but it does not change the level of first-team experience Arsenal are getting. Meslier arrives after years as a regular goalkeeper at a demanding club and now gets a fresh start in a title-winning squad.
He will wear the number 30 shirt.
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