Illan Meslier reveals 'anger' at Leeds United situation as Arsenal transfer confirmed — YEP 9/7/26

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By Kyle Newbould

Illan Meslier is entering a new phase of his career with ‘anger and determination’ following a year on the sidelines at Leeds United.

Meslier’s move to Arsenal was officially announced on Thursday with the 26-year-old a free agent after leaving Leeds. He called time on a seven-year spell in West Yorkshire, much of which was spent as No.1 until he was dropped for Karl Darlow during the 2024/25 Championship promotion run-in.

Darlow remained ahead of Meslier last season and following the £16million arrival of Lucas Perri from Olympique Lyonnais, the Frenchman became third-choice. He didn’t play a single first-team match with only a handful of appearances coming with the Under-21s.

“I’m extremely, extremely happy,” Meslier said upon signing for Arsenal. “It's a great day for me because I’ve just joined the champions. It's the biggest club here in England, so I'm very happy to join this massive club, and it’s also a massive opportunity for me. I'm extremely happy to join and to try to do the back-to-back.

“Last season was a special year, strangely enough for me. Unfortunately, this happens a lot in the careers of players. But I never give up. I keep working very hard every day, training, always being ready for the players who need help.

"I worked a lot mentally because I had a different perspective on football and training. It helped me a lot, to be honest. So I come back this year with a lot of anger and determination. I want to give everything and show my level is still high and that Arsenal did a great job to take me.”

Much of Meslier’s seven-year spell at Leeds was positive with the goalkeeper emerging as part of Marcelo Bielsa’s promotion-winning side that finished ninth in the Premier League. The former FC Lorient prospect made a name for himself as one of Europe’s most promising young shot-stoppers but performance levels have dropped recently.

Meslier made a number of high-profile errors during the 2024/25 Championship campaign, costing Leeds big points against the likes of Hull and Swansea City. Arsenal will hope a change of scene can allow the Frenchman to rediscover the attributes that once saw him so highly-rated.

“I like to make decisions,” Meslier said of his goalkeeping style. “I also love to play from the floor, to use my feet. With a team like this, with the quality of the players, I have no doubts that it will be easier for me to play with these guys. I like to help the team as much as I can, being decisive at a good moment. This is who I am.”

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