Arsenal confirmed their squad for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League League Phase on Wednesday, and one name is surprisingly absent: Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian striker, who has been sidelined since suffering an ACL injury in January against Manchester United in the FA Cup, recently returned to light training on grass but will play no part in Arsenal’s European campaign until at least February.
The Gunners, drawn against Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Club Brugge, Olympiakos, Slavia Prague, Kairat Almaty and Athletic Club, will attempt to navigate the new League Phase without one of their most high-profile forwards.
Why was Gabriel Jesus excluded?
On paper, there was no practical reason to leave Jesus out. Even if he is unavailable until 2026, Arsenal could still have registered him without consequence. UEFA rules allow clubs to replace players in February, when a maximum of three new names can be added for the knockout rounds. Whether Jesus was on the list now or not, the situation would remain unchanged.
That leaves only two plausible explanations:
1. It’s a message: Arsenal, under new sporting director Andrea Berta, are sending a signal that the days of holding onto players out of sentiment are over.
2. A free agent signing – By keeping a slot open, Arsenal may be preparing to bring in a free agent before the knockout stages. Registration rules allow such signings to be added at any time if there is an available space.
A January signing, however, cannot feature until after the League Phase, meaning this decision isn’t about future transfers in the winter window.
We have submitted our List A squad for our upcoming UEFA Champions League league phase matches 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 3, 2025
What this means for Gabriel Jesus’ Arsenal future
Jesus was one of Mikel Arteta’s flagship signings in 2022, bringing energy, pressing, and versatility to Arsenal’s frontline. But persistent injuries have derailed his impact, and this latest decision suggests the club is prepared to move forward without waiting indefinitely for him to return.
Being excluded from a Champions League squad, in this case, is more than a logistical choice – it’s a statement. Arsenal are no longer prioritising sentiment over performance and if Jesus fails to prove his fitness and consistency, his long-term role at the Emirates may be under serious threat.
What this means for Arsenal
Andrea Berta’s summer overhaul saw eight new signings arrive, reshaping the squad for the demands of competing in four competitions this season. Leaving out Jesus highlights a ruthless shift in strategy; Arsenal want to fully compete with Europe’s elite, and that requires cold decisions, not loyalty to players sidelined by long-term injuries.
The message is clear: Arsenal are adapting their mentality to win at the very highest level and Jesus’ exclusion reflects a wider cultural reset under Berta and Arteta.
