​Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images. Illan Meslier has officially joined Arsenal on a free transfer after leaving Leeds United when his contract expired in June. The French goalkeeper moves to north London with a clearly defined role: he will start as the understudy to David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga, though Kepa is weighing offers and could depart Arsenal for £5 million, 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, choosing Arsenal despite the prospect of a guaranteed starting spot elsewhere; clubs such as Birmingham were reported to have offered him an immediate first-team role.
Meslier, 26, made 215 appearances for Leeds and spent a lengthy spell as their first-choice stopper before his departure. “I’m extremely happy,” he said after the formal arrival. “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 within Arsenal’s goalkeeping setup. Tommy Setford is expected to leave on loan, while Kepa’s future remains unsettled. If Kepa leaves, Meslier could quickly become Raya’s understudy, solidifying a second-choice role behind the Spaniard. If Kepa stays, Arsenal will retain three experienced shot-stoppers.
Meslier’s final months at Elland Road were challenging. He found himself on the bench in April 2025 and spent much of the 2025/26 season out of the squad as Leeds rotated through options, first turning to Lucas Perri and then Karl Darlow. Those circumstances opened the door for a free transfer, but they do not diminish the level of first-team experience Arsenal are acquiring. Meslier arrives with years of regular football at a demanding club and now gets a fresh start within a title-winning squad.
He will wear the number 30 shirt. This move adds depth and competition to Arsenal’s goalkeeping ranks as they look to reclaim silverware and push further in domestic and European competitions. The acquisition underscores Arsenal’s intent to blend youth with proven experience, providing a potential springboard for Meslier to demonstrate his capabilities on one of English football’s biggest stages.