14th May 2026
May 14 – Arsenal have expanded their commercial relationship with Deel after confirming the global payroll platform as the club’s new official sleeve partner from the start of the 2026/27 season – where the branding may well sit beside a gold Premier League badge.
Under the multi-year agreement, Deel branding will appear on the left sleeve of Arsenal’s home, away and third kits, occupying what the club say is one of the most commercially valuable sponsorship positions in world football.
The move deepens a relationship that only began in December 2025, when Deel joined Arsenal as the club’s official HR platform partner. Since then, the company has quietly increased its involvement behind the scenes, with Arsenal now preparing to roll out Deel’s platform more broadly across internal workforce and HR operations as the club’s reputation prepares for another step up.
The sleeve position has become premium sponsorship real estate over the past decade as clubs search for additional inventory beyond front-of-shirt deals without looking graffiti-fied.
The announcement was accompanied by a new campaign film titled Patchmaker, featuring striker Viktor Gyökeres and former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira. The film centres around the creation of the new sleeve patch ahead of the launch of Arsenal’s 2026/27 home shirt later this week in an effort to stir up some excitement through the partnership lens.
“Our iconic kit and sleeve is one of the most visible positions in world football, and we’re delighted to be welcoming Deel’s name there after they joined our family earlier this year,” said Arsenal Chief Commercial Officer Juliet Slot.
“Deel will support how we operate as a club as we enter this next chapter in our relationship. All our partnerships play a direct role in delivering our long-term ambition to win major trophies in a financially sustainable way.”
The partnership represents another major step for Deel’s growing sports sponsorship strategy – using football to accelerate its global brand visibility.
“When we partnered with Arsenal last year, we said this was just the beginning,” said Alex Bouaziz, co-founder and CEO of Deel.
“Arsenal and Deel are already working closely together, and the club will be rolling out Deel’s platform across its workforce and HR operations in the coming months.
“Having our name on one of the most iconic shirts in world football is a proud moment for everyone at Deel, and a reflection of a partnership built on shared global ambition. We’re looking forward to next season and everything still to come.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [moc.l1778750744labto1778750744ofdlr1778750744owedi1778750744sni@g1778750744niwe.1778750744yrrah1778750744](javascript:;)