Arsenal announce Champions League squad

Arsenal have named their 23-man squad for the upcoming Champions League group stage, and it features a bold inclusion that has caught the attention of fans and pundits alike. Teenage midfielder Max Dowman, just 15 years old, has been selected by manager Mikel Arteta—while senior striker Gabriel Jesus has been left out.

🚨 Dowman’s Inclusion Makes History Possible

Dowman’s rise has been meteoric. After making his Premier League debut earlier this season with a series of composed and energetic cameos from the bench, the academy product has now been named in Arsenal’s official UEFA ‘List A’ squad. Due to UEFA’s eligibility rules, Dowman does not qualify for ‘List B’—which allows clubs to register unlimited U21 players who have been with the club for two uninterrupted years—making his inclusion in the senior list a necessity.

Should Dowman feature in any of Arsenal’s group stage matches before his 16th birthday on December 31, he will become the youngest player ever to appear in the Champions League, surpassing Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa Moukoko, who debuted at 16 years and 18 days in 2020.

❌ Jesus Left Out Amid Injury Recovery

The most notable omission from the squad is Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian forward, signed from Manchester City for £45 million in 2022, has been sidelined since January with an ACL injury. Though he was recently spotted back on the training pitch, Arteta has opted not to include him in the initial squad, likely due to uncertainty over his return timeline.

In contrast, Kai Havertz—who also underwent knee surgery recently—has been named in the squad, suggesting his recovery is further along.

✅ Summer Signings and Squad Depth

All eight of Arsenal’s summer signings have been included, reinforcing the club’s depth and ambition heading into Europe’s elite competition. The list features:

• Martin Zubimendi
• Christian Nørgaard
• Noni Madueke
• Cristhian Mosquera
• Viktor Gyökeres
• Eberechi Eze
• Piero Hincapie
• Kepa Arrizabalaga

Notably, promising youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly were not named in ‘List A’ but remain eligible for matchday squads via UEFA’s ‘List B’ provision.

🗺️ Arsenal’s European Journey Begins

Arsenal kick off their Champions League campaign on September 16 with an away fixture against Athletic Bilbao. Other away trips include Slavia Prague, Inter Milan, and Club Brugge. The Emirates Stadium will host Olympiacos, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Kairat Almaty.

With a mix of seasoned internationals and emerging talent, Arsenal’s squad reflects both ambition and long-term vision. And with Max Dowman on the brink of history, all eyes will be on Arteta’s selections as the Gunners return to Europe’s grandest stage.