Arsenal Reveal 25-Man Squad After £60m Martinelli Sale
- Arsenal confirm 25-man squad for 2026/27
- Gabriel Martinelli sold to Al‑Hilal for £60m, club‑record fee
- Gabriel Jesus joins Barcelona for €15m
- Andria Bartishvili signs five‑year deal as new winger
- Mikel Arteta reshapes squad with blend of youth and experience
Arsenal announced their 25‑man squad for the 2026/27 Premier League campaign on Thursday, just hours after confirming a £60m sale of Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli to Al‑Hilal.
The list, revealed at the Emirates Stadium, features a blend of seasoned campaigners and promising academy graduates, while also confirming the departures of several high‑profile players.
- 25‑man squad confirmed • £60m Martinelli transfer • €15m Jesus move to Barcelona
Mikel Arteta, who has overseen a summer of significant turnover, addressed the media in a brief press conference.
"We have a clear plan," Arteta said, "and the squad we have named reflects the balance we need between experience, depth and the youthful energy that has become our hallmark."
Sources confirmed that the club's medical team completed Martinelli's paperwork before the transfer window closed, allowing the Gunners to finalise the squad list without delay.
Meanwhile, club officials said the new squad complies with the Premier League's home‑grown player regulations, a factor that will shape Arteta's tactical options in the early weeks of the season.
The announcement came amid a flurry of social media activity, with fans posting the squad numbers and celebrating the arrival of new winger Andria Bartishvili, whose medical was completed just before the deadline.
Andria Bartishvili, 22, arrived from Georgian side Dinamo Tbilisi and is expected to add width to Arsenal's attacking play.
"We are thrilled to have Andria on board," a club spokesperson said, "and we believe his pace and technical ability will complement our existing options on the flanks."
The squad list also confirms the exit of Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson, Leandro Trossard and Christian Norgaard, all of whom were released as part of Arteta's roster overhaul.
This wave of exits and arrivals marks the most dramatic reshuffle of Arsenal's senior squad since the 2022‑23 season, when the club broke its transfer record to bring in a new generation of talent.
Gabriel Martinelli's Record Sale Sends Shockwaves Through North London
Gabriel Martinelli's move to Al‑Hilal for a reported £60m set a new benchmark for Arsenal's outgoing transfers, eclipsing the previous record set by the sale of Bukayo Saka to Barcelona in 2025.
The Brazilian, who joined the Gunners from Ituano in 2020, made 123 appearances, scoring 32 goals and providing 22 assists before the deal was finalised.
Experts said the fee reflects both Martinelli's market value and Arsenal's willingness to capitalise on a player whose contract was set to expire in 2027.
"The £60m tag is a clear signal that Arsenal are not afraid to sell at a premium when the right offer comes in," an analyst at KPMG Sports Advisory noted.
Club officials said the proceeds will be reinvested into the squad, with a particular focus on strengthening the midfield and defensive depth.
The transfer also underscores a broader trend in the Premier League, where clubs are increasingly willing to part with talent to Middle Eastern buyers who can meet lofty financial demands.
Martinelli's departure leaves a void on the left side of the attack, a gap that Arteta hopes Bartishvili can fill, albeit with a different playing style.
Fans at the Emirates reacted with a mixture of disappointment and understanding, recognising the financial boost the deal provides.
"It's tough to see Gabriel leave, but the club has done what it needs to stay competitive," a season ticket holder told reporters.
The £60m fee also positions Arsenal among the top three Premier League clubs in terms of total transfer income for the window, alongside Manchester City and Chelsea, according to official league data released earlier this week.
In the wake of the sale, Arsenal's wage bill is projected to fall by roughly £3.5m, giving the club additional flexibility under the Financial Fair Play guidelines.
Gabriel Jesus Swaps North London for Barcelona in €15m Deal
Just hours after Martinelli's exit, Gabriel Jesus completed a €15m (£12.8m) transfer to Barcelona, ending a four‑year stint at the Emirates.
The Brazilian forward, who arrived from Manchester City in 2022, tallied 32 goals and 22 assists in 123 games, but his final two seasons were hampered by recurring injuries and competition from Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres.
"We wish Gabriel all the best," Artetta said, "and we thank him for his contributions to the club."
Sources confirmed that the deal includes a €2m sell‑on clause, meaning Arsenal will benefit financially if Barcelona later off‑loads the player for a higher fee.
The transfer aligns with Barcelona's strategy of acquiring proven Premier League talent at relatively modest prices, a policy that has seen them secure several high‑profile players since the 2023‑24 season.
Football pundits highlighted that the €15m fee is a bargain for a player of Jesus' pedigree, especially given his experience in top‑flight European competitions.
"Barcelona get a player who can still deliver in big games, and Arsenal free up a significant portion of their wage budget," a senior scout at a leading agency explained.
The departure also opens a slot in the squad list for a younger forward, a move Arteta has hinted at in previous interviews.
In response, Arsenal's academy product, 19‑year‑old striker Emile Smith‑Rowe, is expected to receive more minutes in the early part of the season, a decision that could accelerate his development under Arteta's attacking philosophy.
The combined effect of the Martinelli and Jesus exits reduces the Gunners' attacking options on paper, but the club's recruitment strategy suggests confidence in the depth of its remaining forward line.
Andria Bartishvili Arrives: The New Winger With a Five‑Year Vision
Andria Bartishvili, the 22‑year‑old Georgian winger, signed a five‑year contract with Arsenal after completing his medical on Thursday morning.
The player, who impressed during his spell at Dinamo Tbilisi with 12 goals and 18 assists in the last season, arrives as the first Georgian to play for the Gunners in the Premier League era.
Club officials said the signing reflects Arteta's commitment to uncovering talent beyond the traditional European markets.
"Andria brings pace, creativity and a hunger to prove himself at the highest level," a spokesperson for Arsenal said.
Bartishvili's contract includes a £25m release clause, a figure that underscores the club's belief in his long‑term potential while also protecting its investment.
The winger's preferred foot is his left, and he is known for cutting inside to shoot, a trait that could complement Havertz's tendency to drift wide.
Analysts noted that Bartishvili's statistical profile—averaging 2.3 key passes per 90 minutes and a dribble success rate of 68%—places him among the top 10 emerging wingers in Europe, according to data from Opta.
He will wear the number 21 jersey, a nod to former Arsenal legend John Jensen, who also wore the number during his brief spell at the club.
In his introductory interview, Bartishvili expressed excitement about playing at the Emirates.
"I grew up watching Arsenal on television, and now I get to wear the shirt. It's a dream come true," he said.
The signing also satisfies the Premier League's home‑grown quota, as Bartishvili will be eligible for a work permit under the new post‑Brexit criteria, given his age and international experience with Georgia's under‑21 side.
His arrival is expected to intensify competition for places with existing wide‑men, particularly with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, who have also been deployed on the flanks in recent seasons.
Mikel Arteta's Squad Blueprint: Balancing Youth, Experience and Tactical Flexibility
Mikel Arteta's 25‑man roster reflects a deliberate blend of seasoned veterans, emerging academy products and strategic signings aimed at delivering a versatile system under his 4‑2‑3‑1 formation.
The squad includes eight home‑grown players, satisfying the Premier League's requirement while also ensuring a core of players familiar with Arsenal's footballing philosophy.
- 8 home‑grown players • 5 academy graduates • 12 senior internationals
The defensive line now features veteran William Saliba, who returns after a season‑long loan, alongside younger centre‑backs such as Gabriel Magalhães and the newly promoted academy graduate, 19‑year‑old Ethan Nwaneri.
Arteta's emphasis on ball‑playing defenders is evident in the selection of Saliba, whose passing accuracy of 89% last season placed him among the top three Premier League centre‑backs in that metric, according to official league statistics.
In midfield, the Gunners retain the dynamic duo of Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka, while also promoting the 18‑year‑old midfielder, Kai Havertz's understudy, to the senior squad.
The midfield depth allows Arteta to switch between a possession‑based approach and a more direct, counter‑attacking style, depending on the opposition.
Up front, the departure of Martinelli and Jesus leaves space for new attacking options.
Arsenal have retained Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Ødegaard and newly signed forward, 21‑year‑old striker, Michael Olise, who arrived from Marseille for a reported £30m fee earlier in the window.
Olise's addition provides a versatile forward capable of operating across the front three, a flexibility that Artetta highlighted as essential for coping with fixture congestion.
"Our squad is built to adapt," Arteta said, "whether we need to dominate possession or hit on the break, we have the players to execute the plan."
The squad's composition also reflects financial prudence.
By generating £72.8m from the Martinelli and Jesus sales, Arsenal have balanced the books while still investing in promising talent, a strategy praised by the club's financial director, who noted that the wage bill will be trimmed by roughly £4m for the upcoming season.
The blend of experience and youth is designed to sustain a title challenge while also providing a pipeline of talent for future campaigns.
What the Squad Means for Arsenal's Title Chase and European Ambitions
The newly announced squad sets the stage for Arsenal's pursuit of the Premier League title and a deep run in the UEFA Champions League next season.
With the financial windfall from the Martinelli and Jesus deals, the club can afford to retain key players while still complying with UEFA's squad registration rules, which require a minimum of eight locally trained players.
The inclusion of Bartishvili and Olise adds depth to the attacking midfield, allowing Arteta to rotate without a significant drop in quality.
Experts pointed out that the squad's average age of 25.4 years positions Arsenal among the youngest top‑six clubs, a factor that could translate into higher stamina levels during the congested winter period.
Moreover, the strategic focus on versatile players means the Gunners can shift formations mid‑match, a tactical flexibility that has proven decisive in recent title races.
"Having a squad that can fluidly move from a 4‑3‑3 to a 3‑5‑2 gives us an edge," an analyst at the Football Association said.
The departure of Martinelli, a key left‑winger, is mitigated by Bartishvili's arrival and the continued availability of Saka, who is expected to shoulder more creative responsibility.
In the Champions League, Arsenal will face a challenging group that includes Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid, opponents that demand both technical skill and defensive resilience.
Arteta's emphasis on a compact back four, supported by a deep‑lying midfielder, aims to neutralise such threats while allowing the forward line to exploit counter‑attacking opportunities.
The club's medical team also reported that the squad's injury record from the previous season has improved, with fewer muscle strains and a lower incidence of long‑term absences, a development that could prove crucial in a season where squad rotation is inevitable.
Fans are cautiously optimistic, aware that the loss of two prolific forwards could affect goal output.
However, the club's internal data suggests that the remaining attacking players collectively contributed 78% of the previous season's goals, a figure that Arteta believes can be maintained or even improved with the new signings.
As the Gunners prepare for their opening league fixture against Fulham on 12 September, the squad's composition will be under the microscope, with every selection offering a glimpse into Arteta's long‑term vision for sustained success.