Arsenal Announce 2025/26 Champions League Squad – Gabriel Jesus Excluded
Arsenal have officially submitted their squad for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase, with a few notable talking points that have already caught the eye of supporters.
Goalkeepers: David Raya, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Hubert Setford
Defenders: William Saliba, Yerson Mosquera, Ben White, Piero Hincapié, Gabriel Magalhães, Jurriën Timber, Riccardo Calafiori
Midfielders: Martin Ødegaard, Eberechi Eze, Christian Nørgaard, Leandro Trossard, Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino, Kai Havertz, Martín Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Max Robert Dowman
Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyökeres
The B-list can include U21 academy talents who have been at the club for at least two years, meaning exciting prospects like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly will still be eligible to feature.
Arsenal can register an unlimited number of players on that list.
Why Gabriel Jesus Was Left Out
Perhaps the biggest headline from the squad announcement is the omission of Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian striker, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022, will play no part in this season’s group stage after a series of setbacks.
1. Long-Term Injury
Jesus has been sidelined since January 2025 after suffering a serious ACL injury against Manchester United in the FA Cup. Despite undergoing successful surgery, his recovery is projected to keep him out for much of the campaign, making it impractical to register him.
2. Extended Recovery Timeline
Arsenal’s medical staff have already hinted that the forward’s rehabilitation could stretch until early 2026, well beyond the group phase.
With UEFA squad spots limited, Mikel Arteta had little choice but to leave him out.
3. New Attacking Reinforcements
The Gunners strengthened significantly in attack this summer, with Viktor Gyökeres arriving from Sporting CP and Noni Madueke adding to it.
With Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli also fit, Arsenal’s frontline looked well covered even without Jesus.
READ ALSO: Arsenal fans are saying the same thing after watching Mosquera vs Liverpool.
Looking Ahead
While Gabriel Jesus’ exclusion will disappoint many fans, Arsenal’s squad remains one of the strongest they have submitted in recent memory.
The mix of established stars like Ødegaard, Rice, and Saliba, new recruits such as Eze, Zubimendi, and Gyökeres, alongside academy talents like Dowman and Nwaneri, gives Arteta a balanced squad capable of competing at the highest level.
For Jesus, the focus now is on a full recovery. Whether he returns in time for the knockout stages—or secures a move back to Brazil—remains to be seen.
