Arsenal Unveil Champions League Squad: Dowman Could Make History as £45m Jesus Omitted

Key Takeaways:

• Arsenal announced their 23-man Champions League List A squad on Wednesday, including 15-year-old Max Dowman but omitting Gabriel Jesus
• Gabriel Jesus, sidelined since January with an ACL injury, was spotted in rehabilitation last month but is not part of the initial selection
• The Gunners will launch their European campaign away at Athletic Bilbao on September 16

Arteta’s Choices: Dowman In, £45m Jesus Out

Mikel Arteta has revealed Arsenal’s 23-man Champions League List A squad as the club prepares for the group stage following the recent fixture announcement. In a notable move, the Gunners manager has opted to include 15-year-old Max Dowman, following the teenager’s impressive appearances from the bench in the Premier League this season.

Gabriel Jesus, who was signed from Manchester City for £45m in 2022, has not been named in the initial squad as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury sustained in January. Although he was seen returning to light training last month, the forward does not feature in the current European selection.

Kai Havertz, who also underwent knee surgery recently, has been included. All eight of Arsenal’s summer arrivals are likewise present on the squad list.

Arsenal's Max Dowman could break the record of being the youngest player in the UEFA Champions League.

The 15 year-old has been added to Arsenal's squad list for the tournament.#UCL pic.twitter.com/HUO23QY4rX

— Goals ⚽ (@Goals360hub) September 4, 2025

Eligibility Rules and Line-up Details

Alongside Jesus, other notable absentees are Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. However, they remain eligible for inclusion on each matchday via UEFA’s ‘List B’, permitting clubs to register unlimited U21 players, provided they meet UEFA’s specific criteria: players must have been born on, or after, 1 January 2004 and been registered with the club for at least two uninterrupted years since their 15th birthday, or three consecutive years with a single loan of up to one year within the same association.

Due to these stipulations, Max Dowman is not eligible for ‘List B’ and so required inclusion on ‘List A’. Should Dowman appear in the Champions League before his 16th birthday on December 31, he would become the youngest player to feature in the competition, a record that currently belongs to Youssoufa Moukoko, who debuted for Borussia Dortmund at 16 years and 18 days in 2020.

Upcoming Fixtures and Squad Breakdown

Arsenal’s European quest begins with an away match at Athletic Bilbao on September 16. Further trips during the group stage include clashes with Slavia Prague, Inter, and Club Brugge. At home, the Gunners will entertain Olympiacos, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Kairat Almaty.

Arsenal’s Champions League List A Squad

Confirmed Champions League Fixtures