Arsenal have conformed and match up to their 2025/26 Champions League squad on September 3, 2025, keeping out and debarring many high-profile players due to injuries and squad limitations. Gabriel Jesus, shelved with an ACL injury since January, heads the list of omissions, igniting arguments and debate. This arsenal champions league squad analysis explores the exclusions, causes, and likely implications for Arsenal’s campaign.
Key Exclusions and Reasons
Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal’s £45m signing from Manchester City in 2022, excluded from the A List due to his ongoing recovery, with diminutive chances of returning before 2026, per Planet Football’s report. Arsenal can adjust the squad if they proceed and push on to knockouts, prospectively adding Jesus if Max Dowman move to the B List after turning 16.
Further significant and notable omissions include Federico Chiesa (Liverpool), Mathys Tel (Tottenham), and Romelu Lukaku (Napoli), often due to wounds or tactical choices. For Arsenal, the confirmed squad spotlights and emphasizes on fitting players like Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze.
Arsenal’s Squad Composition
Arsenal’s A List attributes to 25 players, involving new signings like Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera, attaining homegrown quotas with Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice. The B List comprises of academy talents like Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman, permitting flexibility. Jesus’ debarring emanates from squad rules limiting non-homegrown spots, as Arsenal integrated recent transfers like Hincapie.
Fans have already expressed their shock, with some stating that, how Jesus could have been out, indicating a massive blow for the club. This structure is being aimed to balance and provide stability for experience and youth in support of matches against Athletic Bilbao, Olympiacos, Atletico Madrid, and others.
Tactical Implications
Without Jesus, Arsenal relies on Gyokeres (5 goals in 3 games) and Kai Havertz up front, testing depth in the league phase. Arteta’s 4-3-3 emphasizes versatility, with Eze and Noni Madueke covering wings. Exclusions like Jesus highlight injury management, but team performance stats show Arsenal’s unbeaten start, with 12 goals scored. Dowman’s B List potential could reinstate Jesus later, per reports. However, limited spots forced tough calls, similar to Liverpool omitting Chiesa.
Reactions and Fan Sentiment
Arteta defended and secured the club’s decisions, by stating, “We prioritize fitness and form for this demanding phase.” Fans for the time being debate, with some perturbed and concerned about Jesus’ morale, with some noting that, he deserved better after all his contributions. Palace’s retention focus, per the report, is distinct to that of Arsenal’s tweaks. This associates to Hincapie’s arrival, freeing and releasing spots but uncovering gaps if injuries mount.
Challenges Ahead
Arsenal’s campaign will start from September 16 against Athletic Bilbao, with tough ties like Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. Excluding Jesus can gamble the attacking depth comprehensively, but Gyokeres’ form mitigates it. Squad rules permit three changes post-group stage, offering Jesus a return path.
At the same time, the confirmed roster comprises 8 homegrown players, meeting UEFA requirements. Opta predicts a top 8 finish, but exclusions could strain rotations.
Broader Context
These omissions speculate and mirror a modern squad management and that of a club’s administration, balancing PSR, injuries, and youth. Arsenal’s move and approach, integrating new signings, positions them as contenders.
For Jesus, a January loan looms if fitness and robustness returns. The report lists and describes similar and analogous cases across Europe, like PSG’s Kimpembe, showing widespread challenges.
Author’s Note
This Arsenal champions league squad news can definitely surprise all the Arsenal fans out there. Excluding and shutting out Jesus can surely hurt the player’s morale as well as that of his or the club’s fans, but Gyokeres steps up. It will be a hopeful for tweaks later.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
