Arsenal could still add new signings to Premier League squad thanks to obscure rule
Mikel Arteta can still make additions to his squad(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has assembled a formidable squad – but could still add reinforcements outside of the transfer window thanks to an obscure Premier League rule.
Following a busy summer of change that saw several fresh faces arrive at the Emirates Stadium – including Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa and Christos Tzolis – Arsenal have an array of different players at their disposal. However, under Premier League rules, the club could still make new signings before the winter transfer window opens as there are three spots still available in their squad.
Arsenal named just 22 senior players in their squad, three short of the 25-player limit. It means Arteta would be able to add free agents to his squad before the next transfer window, subject to the Premier League Board's approval as per rule U7.
All first-team Premier League squads must include no more than 17 non-homegrown players. A homegrown player is defined by spending at least three seasons with a club in England or Wales before turning 21.
The Gunners have exactly 14 stars who do not fit these criteria, with the remaining eight all qualifying as homegrown (David Raya, Ben White, William Saliba, Ezri Konsa, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke).
With three non-homegrown spots still vacant, it means the club would not be restricted to signing just homegrown players, should they decide they want to bolster their squad with a free agent addition.
Arsenal can still add new players to their squad, even though the transfer window has closed(Image: Getty)
Premier League rule U8 states that, in addition to other relevant documents, all clubs must submit any contract they propose to enter when attempting to sign a new player. Although Arsenal can bring in free transfers, section V4 states that the Premier League Board also has absolute discretion to refuse an application to register a player.
The Premier League can also impose certain conditions on the club and player as part of the transfer, if deemed appropriate. Arsenal would hope to avoid any refusals or conditions if Arteta chooses to delve into the free agent market – which includes stars such as Jadon Sancho, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and former Arsenal utility man Oleksandr Zinchenko.
It's also worth noting that the manager has plenty of depth to call upon through the club's extensive under-21 list. Young players born on or after January 1, 2005, are included in a different Premier League list and are considered completely separate from the 22-man first-team squad.
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman don't need to be registered(Image: Getty)
Crucially, they do not take up a registration spot, but they are still fully eligible to feature for the Gunners in league games. Players like Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman fall into this category, with neither youngster needing to be registered as senior squad members.
Clubs can field an unlimited number of U21 players over and above the standard squad limits, giving Arteta a wealth of unregistered youth to rely upon.
Meanwhile, if an injury crisis were to strike, he retains the flexibility to snap up a free agent before the transfer window reopens in just over three months' time.
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