Arsenal have added former Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier as a free agent, strengthening Mikel Arteta’s options behind David Raya.
Arsenal have completed the signing of Illan Meslier following the expiration of his contract at Leeds United.
The 26-year-old French goalkeeper has joined the Premier League champions on a free transfer.
Meslier’s arrival adds depth to a goalkeeping group that was expected to see changes this summer, giving Arteta another experienced option to call on.
Meslier arrives with considerable experience in English football, although his final season at Leeds ended with him outside the first-team picture. The Frenchman did not make a Premier League appearance in 2025/26, having previously been a regular for the club across both Premier League and Championship campaigns.
David Raya is still Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper, but Meslier’s signing gives Arteta valuable experience and competition ahead of another demanding season on several fronts.
Meslier first joined Leeds from Lorient in 2019, initially on loan before making the move permanent. He played a key role in Marcelo Bielsa’s promotion-winning side and became a regular in the Premier League during Leeds’ return to the top flight.
That earlier spell remains the main part of his appeal. Meslier was exposed to senior football at a young age, played through Leeds’ promotion, Premier League return and subsequent changes, but now joins Arsenal after a season where his career had stalled at Elland Road.
Arsenal have taken advantage of Meslier’s availability, bringing in his experience without paying a transfer fee after his Leeds contract expired.
For Meslier, it marks a fresh start after a difficult final year at Leeds. He now joins a club competing at the top of English football, with Arsenal preparing to defend their Premier League title and push again for their first Champions League trophy.
From Arsenal’s perspective, the signing strengthens the goalkeeping department without a transfer fee. Meslier arrives with several seasons of English football behind him, giving Arteta another established option behind David Raya ahead of another busy campaign.
The move is part of a summer where Arsenal are looking to refine their squad. After winning the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final last season, further additions and adjustments were always likely before the new campaign.
Meslier is now among those new faces, arriving as a senior goalkeeper with top-flight experience and plenty of football still ahead of him.
Arsenal’s transfer business is ongoing, but Meslier’s arrival gives Arteta another reliable option in a key position as preparations for the new season continue.
