League One · Goalkeeper · #1 · England · 19 yrs
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty) Former Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack can’t wrap his head around the Gunners’ decision to sign Illan Meslier from Leeds United earlier this summer. Meslier joined Arsenal on a free transfer in July after his contract at Leeds expired the previous month. The 26-year-old spent six seasons at Elland Road and made a total of 215 appearances in all competitions for the club, while helping the side win two promotions to the Premier League in 2020 and 2025. But Meslier found himself effectively frozen out by Daniel Farke last campaign, failing to make a single first-team appearance after dropping beneath Lucas Perri and Karl Darlow in the pecking order. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. The Frenchman arrived at the Emirates to serve as a backup option behind David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga and made his debut against Girona in a pre-season friendly earlier this month. Meslier’s arrival looks set to force young keeper Tommy Setford out on loan before deadline day, an outcome which has not pleased former Arsenal shot-stopper Stack. ‘Look, he’s experienced, but it’s highly unlikely that you would use him,’ Stack told Metro via Lad Casino. ‘My question is, is there not another goalkeeper at Arsenal Football Club that’s capable of that? Illan Meslier arrived from Leeds United on a free transfer (Picture: Getty) ‘What are they doing at the club that they’re not producing any goalies? They just keep signing goalies. ‘At what point is there going to be an Arsenal goalkeeper that’s going to, not even break through, but I’m talking about being a number three.’ Stack also questioned why Meslier made the move to become a third-choice at such a young age, accusing the Frenchman of ‘throwing the towel in’. ‘I question him, I really do question the goalkeeper,’ he added. Tommy Setford (right) is set to leave on loan (Picture: Getty) ‘The reason I say that is that he’s got Premier League experience, he’s played countless games in the Premier League, he’s got bundles of experience, been at Leeds for I don’t know how many years. ‘He’s played loads of games, and maybe he doesn’t have that burning desire to go and play games and put himself under pressure. Maybe that’s what he’s after. ‘But I’m just surprised with someone of Meslier’s quality that he’s decided to almost chuck the towel in and be a number three.’ Alongside Meslier, Arsenal turned Piero Hincapie’s loan move from Bayer Leverkusen into a permanent deal, while Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes have joined from Club Brugge and Newcastle United, respectively. Bruno Guimaraes is Arsenal’s latest summer signing (Picture: PA) And while Arsenal are still eyeing up more signings at left wing and centre-back, Stack believes his former side are still heavy favourites to retain the league title this season. ‘Absolutely, Arsenal will win it,’ Stack said. ‘I think Arsenal will be buzzing after last year, and think it’s a situation now where it’s basically the monkey off their back. ‘They will be going into the season absolutely buzzing, and with the signing of Guimaraes and probably more to come between now and the start of the season, I think they will definitely strengthen. ‘The only concern would be how fatigued some of the players might be after Christmas in the crunch end of the season, when there are so many games in the league, domestic competitions and the Champions League, especially after a summer World Cup. ‘Rotating the squad is going to be key this season, so stopping players getting fatigued and looking tired just requires a big enough squad to make the changes and rotate players effectively. Just keep freshening it up. ‘I fancy Arsenal to go and win it, but I think that it will be a close-run race with Man City, I think City will be close behind them.’ For more stories like this, check our sport
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