Kepa Arrizabalaga faces an uncertain future at Arsenal, particularly after the arrival of Illan Meslier as David Raya’s back-up goalkeeper this summer
16:57, 14 Jul 2026
Kepa Arrizabalaga looks on
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Kepa Arrizabalaga has struggled since joining Arsenal last summer(Image: Getty Images)
Kepa Arrizabalaga's Arsenal release clause has expired - although the Gunners will reportedly not prevent him from leaving if the fee is right. The Spaniard joined Mikel Arteta's side as backup to David Raya in July 2025 for £5million.
Arrizabalaga was heavily criticised after his mistake in last season's Carabao Cup final, which led to Manchester City's first goal. The Gunners lost that match 2-0 to extend their six-year wait for a major trophy before May's Premier League title win.
Arsenal's second-choice keeper then started again in a heavily-rotated side for April's 2-1 FA Cup exit at Championship side Southampton. While the 31-year-old was not directly at fault for any of the goals, many questioned why Arteta did not start his best players, including first-choice shot-stopper David Raya.
There are now question marks over Arrizabalaga's future at the Emirates Stadium. The contract he signed in north London contained a £5m release clause, enabling Arrizabalaga to leave if a club matched the fee Arsenal paid to sign him from Chelsea. That clause has now expired.
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However, the Athletic report that the Gunners will not stand in his way if an appropriate offer arrives. The Spanish keeper has been linked with Italian giants Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli this summer.
And his future at Arsenal is now in doubt, after the club signed Illan Meslier as Raya’s back-up goalkeeper.
Illan Meslier posing for a picture with Andrea Berta
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Illan Meslier has signed for Arsenal(Image: Arsenal)
The Frenchman joined on a free transfer from Leeds United on a two-year deal with the option to extend for a further year. He made 215 appearances across seven seasons with the Yorkshire club, keeping 70 clean sheets.
It is unlikely that Meslier and Arrizabalaga, who became the ninth goalkeeper to be signed in the Arteta era, will both be at Arsenal next season.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
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Kepa Arrizabalaga joined Arsenal last summer(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The Spanish shot-stopper still holds the record for being the most expensive goalkeeper ever signed by a club when he joined Chelsea from Athletic Club in 2018 for a fee of £71.6m. He made 163 appearances for the Blues and joins former teammate Kai Havertz at the club.
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He spent time on loan with Real Madrid, where he made 20 appearances for Carlo Ancelotti’s side while Thibaut Courtois was injured.
Arrizabalaga spent his final season with Chelsea on loan with Bournemouth, where he played 31 times in the Premier League and finished sixth in the Golden Glove standings with eight clean sheets despite missing seven matches in the campaign.
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