WORRY FOR ARSENAL: Why Illan Meslier didn’t make a single Leeds appearance last season
New Arsenal goalkeeper Illan Meslier failed to make a single appearance for Leeds United last season due to high-profile errors and a bitter contract standoff that saw him frozen out before his free transfer.
Arsenal’s latest goalkeeper signing, Illan Meslier, endured a completely stagnant final season at Leeds United, failing to log a single competitive minute.
The French shot-stopper was entirely excluded from matchday squads following his poor showings in 2024-25 and an intractable contract standoff with club executives.
Refusing to sign an extension, Meslier was systematically frozen out of the first-team dynamic to prioritize committed squad players.
The lengthy administrative exile concluded this summer when his contract officially expired, enabling his free transfer to North London.
Leeds management strictly enforced the season-long benching to signal a culture shift regarding player loyalty, but Meslier didn’t bulge, and could only feature in two U21 games.
Consequently, the 26-year-old arrives at Arsenal lacking recent match sharpness but highly motivated to revive his stalling career under Mikel Arteta.
