Arsenal are confident of improving their squad before the end of the transfer window, however they are yet to make any meaningful additions. Only Lucas Nygaard, a youth goalkeeper, has been brought in so far with the expectation of more youngsters coming in to strengthen the academy as well.
There will be movement out of the club too and it is here which could open up some exciting opportunities for both existing and new players. As with every new season, new numbers become available through players leaving the club either permanently or on loan.
It can create some interesting scenarios for example both Jorginho and Nuno Tavares have the number 20 according to the club website. Ben White signed in 2021 and took William Saliba’s number four although he has since been given the number two shirt.
There are currently four numbers available in the first 25, with 13, 16, 17 and 25 all available to be taken by new signings should they come in or of course existing players promoted into any of these roles. Alexis Sanchez famously wore the number 17 while Aaron Ramsey wore number 16 for many years too.
However, it is the numbers which may soon be vacated which offer the potential for a player to take hold of a historical shirt. Kieran Tierney may be injured right now but with his future likely to involve a departure, the number three shirt might indeed therefore become an option for new players.
Before Tierney, the three shirt has been worn by the likes of Bacary Sagna, Ashley Cole, Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn. Any defender, perhaps Riccardo Calafiori who has been linked with a move, and signed by Arsenal this summer could grab the famous digit.
Thomas Partey is also being linked with a move away from the club which would see the number five become vacant. Before the Ghanaian had the shirt, it was worn by a group of legendary figures and a couple of Invincibles.
Kolo Toure, Martin Keown, David O’Leary and Tony Adams have, at different times, all worn the number five shirt for the club. Again, typically a defender’s number but most recently worn by midfielder Partey opens up options for new signings.
Lastly, Eddie Nketiah is the last player who could also leave currently wearing a historic figure. The number 14 most famously worn by Thierry Henry was given to Nketiah when he renewed his contract and also by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for a time too – any new forward could indeed earn the right to wear the famous shirt number.
