Arsenal to register six new names in EPL squad as Timber dilemma emerges

Arsenal will submit their 25-man Premier League squad this week and here we take a look at the players Mikel Arteta is likely to name following a busy summer transfer window

Despite the transfer window in England closing just over a week ago, there's another deadline approaching for Arsenal; The Premier League squad registration deadline.

New names?

The Arsenal squad that is submitted this week will be very different from the one submitted after the January transfer window closed. For starters, it's safe to assume that at least three of the four summer signings - Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and David Raya - will all be included.

Furthermore, a rule change affects William Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Now, last season they didn't have to be named in the 25-man squad because of their age (more on this later) but that is no longer the case as the trio must be registered in the Premier League squad in order to be eligible for the competition.

Who are the homegrown members?

To be considered homegrown, players need to have been registered with any club affiliated to The Football Association or the Welsh FA for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons, or 36 months, before his 21st birthday (or the end of the season during which he turns 21).

This means Aaron Ramsdale, Raya, Saliba, White, Emile Smith Rowe, Rice, Saka, Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson are the 10 senior homegrown players - going off the club's official website - and they can all be registered with Arsenal still adhering to Premier League rules.

Who are the non-homegrown players?

And they are: Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber, Jakub Kiwior, Cedric Soares, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, Jorginho, Fabio Vieira, Mohamed Elneny, Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard.

Surprise omissions?

Taking into consideration that Timber is currently sidelined with an ACL injury, he may not play again this season. Therefore, Arteta could make the decision to leave the Dutchman out of the squad safe in the knowledge he can add the defender in the new year should his injury situation improve.

U21 players

Premier League rules state: "An Under 21 player is defined as one who is under the age of 21 on 1st January in the year in which the season commences and are eligible over and above the limit of 25 players per squad. As a result, for the 2023/24 campaign, Under-21 players will have been born on or after 1 January 2002."

As Karl Hein is born after January 1, 2002, he can be registered on a separate list alongside the club's most promising players such as Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Lino Sousa and Amario Cozier-Duberry; That list contains Under-21 players who are eligible throughout the campaign.

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Surprise inclusions?

As a result, the experienced full-back might be included. This might not be a bad idea on Arteta's part as the Gunners' defensive depth has been called into question with Timber injured in addition to Tierney, Rob Holding, Mari, Trusty and Tavares all being allowed to depart.

If Cedric is included that means one spot remains and unless Arsenal are planning to name a squad of 24 players then it could be that James Hillson gets the nod. Interestingly, the goalkeeper - despite not earning a promotion - is classed a senior player by Premier League squad rules as he was born before January 2002.

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