Arsenal’s squad numbers for the 2026/27 season have been revealed as they look to retain their Premier League crown.

Mikel Arteta‘s side finally brought the league title home after a spell of over two decades last season, edging out Manchester City. It was a fantastic campaign built on defensive solidity, set-piece effectiveness and a strong structural setup and system.

That took them all the way to the finals of both the Champions League and Carabao Cup, losing out on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain in heartbreaking fashion, whilst City, and Pep Guardiola, had the edge at Wembley Stadium. With a slightly altered squad, Arteta’s side will start as favourites to retain their crown, but there are some questions heading into the new campaign over player-squad roles.

The Gunners squad numbers may provide a hint at the roles some players are expected to play at the Emirates Stadium this season. Here is the full list of confirmed squad numbers, plus available numbers.

Goalkeepers

Arsenal’s goalkeeper department has been added to this summer, with Illan Meslier arriving from Leeds United on a free transfer to round out an experienced trio of shot-stoppers led by three-time Golden Glove winner David Raya and back-up Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Expect Raya to maintain his position whilst Meslier and Arrizabalaga will fight it out for Carabao Cup games as the former Chelsea keeper enjoyed a run to the final against Man City last season.

Defenders

Boasting one of the best defensive squads in world football, Arteta has built a strong army of quality defenders, capable of playing multiple roles. The only addition to note is that Piero Hincapié made his loan move permanent this summer after impressing on loan from Bayer Leverkusen last season.

One thing to note is that William Saliba was injured at the World Cup in the summer but he doesn’t require surgery. However, he is set to be out for an extended period, meaning he will miss the start of the new campaign. Another injury concern is Jurriën Timber, who is yet to play during their pre-season matches. A late-August return looks to be on the card, however.

Regardless, with the versatility of their backline, Arteta can accommodate the absence of Saliba, helping them to start the season in a strong shape.

Midfielders

Arsenal’s Declan Rice via REUTERS/Scott Heppell

Alongside their defence, Arsenal’s midfield has been key to their success. However, we expect there to be changes before the end of the window — both in terms of incomings and outgoings.

Take the futures of both Fabio Vieira and Christian Nørgaard as examples; both look set for moves away to free up funds in midfield as Nørgaard started just once in the league last season whilst Vieira was on loan in the Bundesliga with Hamburger SV.

Exits will likely allow the arrival of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimarães for around £75million, with the Brazilian likely to partner Declan Rice in midfield – wearing the number 39. Fans will be curious about the role of Myles Lewis-Skelly, who was utilised in midfield last season, even starting the Champions League final, as he competes with Martin Ødegaard and Eberechi Eze.

Forwards

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Seen as Arsenal’s weakest squad area, fans may be concerned over the loss of Leandro Trossard, who left for Besiktas in Turkey after 50 appearances last season and 19 goal contributions. His replacement has already been sourced: enter former Club Brugge attacker Christos Tzolis.

Arriving after guiding his team to league glory and managing 51 goal contributions, the 24-year-old could well be a shrewd addition, but he faces competition from more established attackers such as Gabriel Martinelli. However, their interest in Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior could well complicate matters for the new arrival, as the Brazilian would instantly become a talismanic figure off the left, making Arsenal a formidable outfit should he arrive.

In terms of uncertain futures, Reiss Nelson spent last season on loan at Brentford, and he is currently entering the final year of his deal, likely to exit. Whereas Gabriel Jesus, who has struggled with injuries and fallen behind Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres, is also likely to depart but nothing concrete has surfaced thus far.

Available Numbers

A handful of significant numbers remain unclaimed. The no.15, no.16 and no.18 are both free, as is the no.19 left behind by Trossard – previously worn by the likes of Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Gilberto Silva. The no. 15 is strongly associated with Arsenal legend Ray Parlour, while Cesc Fabregas also donned it for a number of campaigns. Aaron Ramsey and John Hartson are among those to wear the no. 16 jersey. Nwankwo Kanu, Emmanuel Adebayor and Mohamed Elneny are among those to have worn the no. 25.

The 2026/27 Carabao Cup gets under way with a twist, as the new season brings a new detail.

For the first time in recent memory, the first round is being staged across a weekend rather than in the traditional midweek slot, with the reason having something to do with a major tournament in North America.

Here, GIVEMESPORT brings you the reason why.

Why Carabao Cup Round One Games Are Being Played on a Weekend

No prizes for guessing that the World Cup is the reason for this new schedule. With the expanded 48-team tournament staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico taking up more of the summer than usual, the start of the domestic season has been pushed back to give players and clubs a breather.

That later start has condensed the football calendar, and to ease the congestion, the EFL has shifted the Carabao Cup’s opening round forward to the weekend of August 7-9.

It means the competition actually kicks off before the league campaign this year. The Championship, League One and League Two seasons do not begin until the following week, meaning it is the first taste of competitive action for most EFL clubs of the new campaign.

Of course, Premier League clubs enter the competition in Round Two, with clubs that have qualified for the Champions League or Europa League joining in Round Three.

How It Differs From the Traditional Dates

Typically, round one is played during the week immediately after the opening league fixtures, across a Tuesday and Wednesday. The 2026/27 season flips that: the cup comes first, spread over a weekend, before a ball has been kicked in the EFL.

Crucially, only the first round has moved. From round two onwards — the stage at which the 11 Premier League clubs not involved in Europe enter — the competition reverts to its familiar midweek rhythm.

A preliminary round was again required this term to accommodate the nine Premier League sides in European competition, with Crawley Town and Rochdale coming through to join the 68 other EFL clubs in round one.

Carabao Cup Round One Fixtures

Every tie will be live on Sky Sports, with marquee games on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football and the remainder streamed on Sky Sports+. Middlesbrough‘s clash with Wrexham is also being shown free-to-air on ITV, emulating its round-one coverage from last season with Birmingham City v Sheffield United on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.

Northern Section

Southern Section

Liverpool have made contact with super-agent Jorge Mendes over an alternative signing to Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, according to Fabrizio Romano.

After a slow window to date, where Victor Munoz has been the only player signed in this window, Liverpool chiefs appear to be ramping up their plans to bring in new players for manager Andoni Iraola.

The Spaniard will want to hit the ground running in the new season, as he looks to improve on what was an underwhelming 2025-26 campaign for the Reds, as they failed to come close to retaining their Premier League title, while they were comfortably knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain at the quarter-final stage.

There are a few positions across the pitch that appear to need strengthening, like right-back, but the attack will be a key focus for club officials in the near future.

While Munoz has arrived, the Merseyside outfit are still yet to sign a replacement for Mohamed Salah, who has now joined Trabzonspor, with the Egyptian such a key player in terms of goal contributions for a number of years at Anfield.

Liverpool are keen to land PSG star Bradley Barcola and are working on a deal, but they have also made contact over a deal to sign another attacker.

Romano: Mbaye ‘Giving Priority’ to Liverpool Transfer

via Reuters

According to Romano, posting on X, Liverpool chiefs have made contact with super-agent Jorge Mendes for one of his new clients, PSG forward Ibrahim Mbaye.

While the Reds’ clear number one attacking target right now is Barcola, who is said to be keen on a switch to Anfield after deciding not to extend his contract at the Parc des Princes, they are looking at the France international’s teammate too.

Romano claims that while Mbaye has interest from Bundesliga clubs, including RB Leipzig where a deal was close but fell through, the Senegal international is giving ‘priority’ to a move to Liverpool.

Talks will now follow to see if progress can be made over a double deal.

Reports also claim that Liverpool are in contact over a deal to sign Real Madrid centre-back Raul Asencio.

The defender is known for his speed and has been given the green light to leave the Bernabeu by new manager Jose Mourinho.

Not only are the Reds considered to be long-term admirers of the Spaniard, but his national compatriot Iraola is also a big fan of the 23-year-old.

Despite the arrival of Jeremy Jacquet at Anfield this summer, Liverpool could still consider signing another centre-back given Virgil van Dijk is getting no younger, Ibrahima Konate has departed, and Joe Gomez’s injury record continues to be a long-term concern.