Just one year ago, Kepa Arrizabalaga walked through the doors at the Emirates Stadium full of hope. Arsenal paid Chelsea £5 million for the Spanish international, and the fit seemed perfect. He’d back up David Raya, contribute in cup competitions, and add trophy-winning experience to the squad.
Fast forward twelve months, and everything’s changed. Kepa is now weighing up an exit from north London, frustrated by limited playing time. But here’s the twist — his release clause has expired. Arsenal suddenly hold all the cards.
So what happens next?
From Record-Breaker to Backup: Kepa’s Difficult Season
When Kepa signed that three-year deal in July 2025, he knew he wasn’t arriving as the number one. David Raya had cemented his spot. Still, Kepa expected more than what he got.
He managed just 12 appearances across all competitions in 2025/26. Only one of those came in the Premier League — on the final day of the season. Most of his minutes came in the domestic cups, where Arteta treated him as the designated keeper.
It wasn’t all bad. He kept clean sheets against Port Vale, Wigan, Brighton, and Chelsea in the earlier rounds. But the moments that stick? The Carabao Cup final, where he spilled the ball in a 2-0 loss to Manchester City. That hurt.
For a goalkeeper who once cost €80 million and won the Champions League, Europa League, and Club World Cup at Chelsea, warming the bench has become hard to stomach. According to Ben Jacobs, Kepa has told those around him he’s open to leaving for a starting role elsewhere.
Reports from AS in Spain suggest clubs in both Serie A and La Liga are keeping tabs. Inter Milan, in particular, are said to be looking for a long-term successor to Yann Sommer. The interest is real, even if no formal bids have landed yet.
Meslier’s Arrival Changes the Equation
Arsenal didn’t wait around. On July 9, the club confirmed the free-agent signing of Illan Meslier from Leeds United. The 26-year-old Frenchman arrives on a two-year deal with an option for a third.
Meslier spent seven years at Leeds, racking up 215 appearances and keeping 70 clean sheets. He helped them earn two promotions. Sure, his final season was rough — he didn’t play a single competitive minute under Daniel Farke. But Arteta and goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana see value in his profile.
Meslier is tall, left-footed, and comfortable with the ball at his feet. In his last full Championship season, he completed nearly 77 percent of his passes and posted 21 clean sheets in 39 matches. That’s the kind of depth Arsenal want.
His signing triggered a domino effect. Young keeper Tommy Setford, 20, is now expected to head out on loan. And Kepa? His path to minutes just got even narrower.
Arsenal Now Negotiate from Strength
Here’s where it gets interesting for the Gunners. According to The Athletic’s James McNicholas, the £5 million release clause that Arsenal included in Kepa’s contract has now expired. That clause — the exact figure the club paid Chelsea — would’ve let any interested party trigger a move without negotiation.
That safety net is gone. Any club that wants Kepa must now deal directly with Arsenal. The Gunners aren’t actively shopping him, but they won’t stand in his way if a fair offer arrives. Arteta, for his part, would prefer Kepa to stay. He values the Spaniard’s professionalism and big-game experience.
But Kepa wants to play. He’s 31. Time isn’t on his side. And the arrival of Meslier makes the pecking order clear:
- David Raya: undisputed number one
- Kepa Arrizabalaga: backup, but itching to leave
- Illan Meslier: third choice with room to grow
Arsenal’s wages bill factors in too. Kepa earns around £60,000 per week. Moving him on would free up meaningful budget, even if the transfer fee ends up modest.
The coming weeks will tell us a lot. The World Cup is still ongoing, and most transfer business tends to accelerate once the tournament wraps up. Kepa’s representatives are reportedly assessing options across Europe.
If a compelling offer arrives from Italy or Spain, don’t be surprised to see the former Chelsea man packing his bags. And with Meslier already in the building, Arsenal can afford to be patient. They’ve planned ahead, and that’s smart business from Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta.
One thing’s clear — Arsenal’s goalkeeping department looks very different now than it did twelve months ago. Whether Kepa stays or goes, the champions are covered.
