The Frenchman is set to arrive at the Emirates to bolster Mikel Arteta’s goalkeeping ranks, providing experienced cover and title-winning pedigree following a record-breaking stint with the Yorkshire club.
Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Illan Meslier upon the expiry of his contract at Leeds United according to reports from ‘arseblog’ of The Athletic this evening.
It has been reported recently that Kepi Arrizabalaga is ready to end his short Arsenal career in search of more regular first team football, having played the no.2 role to David Raya in the most recent 2025/26 title winning campaign, but there are yet to be any credible reports suggesting an exit is close for Kepa, which may see Meslier come into the club initially as third choice.
Arsenals no.1 David Raya warms up for Spain ahead of their RO16 fixture vs Portugal (Reuters)Meslier dropped to third choice in the Leeds United pecking order after the signing of Lucas Perri and was only subject to two appearances in the season just gone. Even then, these appearances were in the ‘Premier League 2’ competition. He did not register a single first team appearance in the league or cup across the whole campaign.
Meslier does come with pedigree though, with seriously impressive stats in Leeds’ most recent Championship campaign in 2024/25. Across that season, Meslier made 39 starts, kept 21 clean sheets, conceding just 27 goals, making 63 saves and helping ‘The Whites’ back to the Premier League although he was dropped for the final 7 games of the season after a string of errors.
Not only has he impressed in the Championship, but the 26 year-old has also had a stint in the Premier League with Leeds United before. Across his career with Leeds in the top flight (from 2020-2023) Meslier became the first goalkeeper under the age of 21 to keep 11 clean sheets in a single season which helped them to an extremely respectable 9th placed finish. Across his whole Premier League career so far, Meslier has made 107 appearances, kept 21 clean sheets and made 377 saves.
The signing of the Frenchman is also thought to allow youngster Tommy Setford to leave on loan in search of more regular first team minutes with Raya set to rightfully remain as the club's number 1 going into the new campaign. Setford is largely a regular for the U21s side, though has made a handful of first team appearances in cup competitions. Most noticeably, Arsenal’s EFL cup showdown against Preston North End in October 2024 where the now 20 year old started and completed the full 90 minutes, keeping a clean sheet and making a noticeable save just before full time as Arsenal ran away 0-3 winners.
