Arsenal have today confirmed the squad numbers for the forthcoming 2009-2010 campaign. They have also moved Fran Merida and Wojciech Szczęsny into the first-team, meaning the former will NOT be leaving on loan.
All players listed in white are first-team members. Those in Yellow are Reserves who have been promoted to the first-team while the players in Red have been registered for the Champions League.
1. Manuel Almunia
2. Abou Diaby
3. Bacary Sagna
4. Cesc Fàbregas (c)
5. Thomas Vermaelen
6. Phillipe Senderos
7. Tomáš Rosický
8. Samir Nasri
9. Eduardo
10. William Gallas
11. Robin van Persie
12. Carlos Vela
13.
14. Theo Walcott
15. Denílson
16. Aaron Ramsey
17. Alexandre Song
18. Mikaël Silvestre
19. Jack Wilshere
20. Johan Djourou
21. Łukasz Fabiański
22. Gael Clichy
23. Andrey Arshavin
24. Vito Mannone
25.
26.
27. Emmanuel Eboue
28. Kieran Gibbs
29.
30. Armand Traoré
31.
32. Luke Ayling
33. Nacer Barazite
34. Kyle Bartley
35. Francis Coquelin
36. Thomas Cruise
37. Craig Eastmond
38. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas
39. Cedric Evina
40. Luke Freeman
41. Emmanuel Frimpong
42. Kerrea Gilbert
43. Conor Henderson
44. Gavin Hoyte
45. Henri Lansbury
46. Fran Merida
47. Rhys Murphy
48. Mark Randall
49. James Shea
50. Jay Simpson
51. Gilles Sunu
52. Nicklas Bendtner
53. Wojciech Szczęsny
54. Sanchez Watt
Article By – J.Sanderson
Interesting that Simpson’s not been given a lower squad number… I suppose it’s to do with Wenger’s interest in Chamakh
Not necessarily, Simpson may have wanted to keep it. Doubtful, but he may have done. I’m surprised that Merida has changed his number from 32 during pre season to 46. I’m glad Lansbury has been given a number too, although I imagine he’ll be out on loan at some point.
Simpson has number 50. I’m certain Wenger won’t sign anyone, unless we have a terrible start. Anyhow, I have strong belief in this squad and hope that Wenger will prove that money is not the key factor in challenging for titles.
You’ll notice that from Ayling down the names are just in alphabetical order apart from Bendtner so nothing’s really changed apart from Gibbs, Merida and Szczesny.
Also J, any news on the mystery youngster who could be going out on loan to blackpool?
Are you going to put the numbers on the players shirts on the profiles page J? That would look nice n tidy
Wrighty, I don’t think the numbers mean much. Gibbs is number 28 and yet he’s behind Nik. Also both Ramsey and Jack have lower numbers than some of the regular first team players.Sometimes you pick the numbers that you desire, of course the available numbers without a seniors’ interest.
I’m happy for Merida and I think he’s a better player in a 4-3-3 formation than Denilson. This settles the rumour about his impending loan to Levante; no chance.
Arsene looked at him closely in the pre-season and found something good about him. His passing, creativity and positioning.
I don’t know why Arsene don’t rate Nacer Barazite? Has Randall a chance, after being upstaged by Merida?
i think melida can feature in the first team and has potential
Heard the JET is heading to Sheff Wed on loan?
On arsenal.com Gibbs still has nr 40.
http://www.arsenal.com/first-team/players
I see the official site Merida and Szczęsny into the 1st team, but Gibbs didn’t change his No. , only Bendtner and Vermaelen confirm the new no.
So, Merida for the bench on Saturday? Maybe even starting if Diaby isn’t fit? I’d be over the fucking moon to see him promoted, assuming he gives his all, like any man in an Arsenal shirt should.
To anyone who has watched the kids more than I, what does Merida have that Barazite doesn’t? He took the Eng U21’s to school all by himself and every time I’ve seen him, he looks quality. Fran still looks fragile and his final ball isn’t quite there yet. I would have thought Nacer was the better player, can anyone explain how Merida gets into the first team and Barazite doesnt…
If you go on the Arsenal shop, and select Gibbs’ shirt, its listed as number 28. He will wear it next season.
according to the member’s day, merida will wear 32 and szczesny for 36
If you go to the Arsenal shop does it says Gilbert is 38.
Confused – Both players are excellent players and i would say both have what it takes to reach the very top of the game. To answer your question – There are openings in the first team squad for CM’s currently as Rosicky, Nasri, Diaby are all currently out injured so Fran is getting a look-in ahead of Randall, who he has replaced recently as AW’s top CM outside of the first team squad (although Fran has now been promoted).
As for Barazite, he hasn’t yet made that breakthrough that so many of us are hoping for as he is behind Arshavin, RVP, Eduardo, Walcott, Bendtner, Wilshere and Vela in the pecking order for the forwards. You can bet ur ass that if anyone of the above gets injured for a couple of months or so (especially if two or three of them are out simultaneously) then if Nacer hasn’t gone out on loan, he will be the one that steps up.
While i’m on that point, i’d just like to keep things positive/in perspective, going against the stupid media, who are badgering on about the fact that we sold Ade and haven’t really brought anyone in to replace him. The fact of the matter is that the fans of Arsenal like us – who follow the youth team and know who’s available in the reserves, should they be needed know that there’s nothing really to worry about as we have fantastic strikers in the first team already, as well as the one’s knocking on the door already or will be in the next year or two e.g. Barazite, Simpson, Murphy, Watt, Sunu, Freeman and Afobe.
For example, if Bendtner or RVP bang in 20-30 goals this year and then are sold for x amount next summer, the doom-mongering will start again, but we know (not to mention AW knows) that there are people ready to step up, people like Barazite.
People like Alan Hansen, Andy Gray, Tony Gayle and that cunt Tony Cascarino (as well as just about every single last one of these so-called experts) don’t know this so they can talk all the shit they want. I, for one have great faith in the future of this club and am very positive about many, many of the current reserves, under 18’s and under 16’s players at the club at the moment. So don’t believe the hype/bollocks and be fickle enough to paint the same gloomy picture for our club. They envy the Arsenal and have even more reason to hate us as AW is French, so they have a dig whenever they can.
I implore, you read Wenger’s interview with Martin Samuel in the Daily Mail. He’s on another level to most people in the football world. A very interesting insight to the great man.
In other news – J, or anyone else, have you heard that the under 18’s lost 1-0 against Ipswich under 18’s at Shenley in a friendly either today or yesterday?
JS apparently Blackpool are after a mysterious arsenal youngster to take on loan. Same with sheffield wednesday do u know whos the players are? Or are blackpool and sheffield Wednesday after the same player
It’s basically everyone who features in the Reserves/Youth page on Arsenal.com and Harry, well spotted, I never realised it was just in alphabetical order. It’s weird how Merida and Szczesny don’t have lower numbers though, since they are are genuine first team members.
just checked uefa.com, the numbers in player list is coincident to this one
Well said TJ DA GOON. I submit the same passion as u. These have been my points for a long time. I’m never really bothered when someones leave cause i know what will brought in or promoted by Mr Wenger.
When the real problem arises is when he leaves.
The numbers are in alphabetical order, thats AW’s policy. Other than Bendtner of course who doubled his number, possibly to double his goals.He’ll be number 104 next year.
Where and when will we see #42 Kerrea Gilbert play?
Bendtner chose 52 to match his IQ…complete child!
Good words TJ. Us proper gooners know Arsenes is a gene
us!
He is selling the mediocre players for huge amounts of money (Ady an toure)while he keeps his ‘special’ players.
Bentner is a better player now, than Ady-barn door was at 20. Wenger let Ady go so Bentner could flourish. We will see 20+ goals from bentner this season. The production line of great young players has only just started!
In Three seasons we will have 5-6 of these current crop of kids in the first side creating waves in world football.
Arsenal will become a massive footballing power. We are very lucky to have such a visionary manager! Come on you gunners!
Like cc said UEFA has the same list here http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/club=52280/competition=1/index.html but the many of the players have a star (*) beside their name, and at the bottom it says *Player list B
What does this mean? At first I thought reserves, but Walcott, Mannone and Szczesney are there. Then I thought U21, but then Ramsey is NOT marked with a star. What could it be, any suggestions?
Tony – Could it be home grown players? I think all of the players there have been with Arsenal or in England for enough time to qualify.
glad merida is staying.
hope sendy stays too
“18.16 A player may be registered on List B if he is born on or after 1 January 1988 and has been eligible to play for the club concerned for any uninterrupted period of two years since his 15th birthday by the time he is registered with UEFA. Players aged 16 may be registered on List B if they have been regsitered with the participating club for the previous two years without interuption.”
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Fashion is my only culture…nothing ever change.
So basically any player 21 or under who has been playing for their club for two years since they were 15, is registered on List B. That’s how I interpreted Sooth’s statement, correct me if I’m wrong.
J what do you think will be with Kerrea Gilbert? From yours loan reports he had a decent season in leicester and even scored a goal from right back. He wasn’t in austria nor with yound lads who played lincoln etc. I know he was injured but is this a case?
I’m not that good in English, but I wrote this anyway….
after 5-0 winning against EVE, I think those young guns already had a great start before that game. they achieve first great score for their homework during last holiday. nice composition, and hell of a game for EVE given by those talented Gunners. I never know how to predict what’s on Mr. Wenger mind for this team, but I always believe that He had wrote sweet lyrics on His head, arr. great note and perfect melody, create a perfect song, choose the right player, and set magnificent ARS concerts worldwide for this great season. YOUNG TOUGH SQUAD, GUNNERS ARSENAL.
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2009/05/another-american-youngster-eyeing-european-glory.html
Heard of this?
Interesting…
Where do you get this from?
I believe Kerrea Gilbert is 38 instead of 42. Says http://onlinestore.arsenal.com/invt/70000&bklist= , the online store at Arsenal.com.
Emmanuel-Thomas joined Blackpool on loan for a month.
It’s good news that Fran Merida has moved to first team. He’ll be a top player in no time.
Go arshavin…
go van persie…
go eduardo…
Go bendtner
go
Don’t know if anyone has mentioned it as i can’t be bothered to read the rest of the comments but the numbers for the reserves have always been in alphabetical order for years (bar Bendtner) which is why Ayling is so high up and Simpson is low down.
Hmm, even though they’re in alphabetical order, should there be an exception for Merida and Szczęsny? Since they’re both in the first team already.
B52 will be 13 for the next year. I believe
Pretty cool post. I just came by your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your posts.
Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon!
Lets get a petition going to have Gallas switch from the much revered number “10” shirt. Other than the important tradition of the number “10”, I think, if worn by an offensive player, the club would sell more number “10” replica jerseys. I’m surprised this has been allowed to run for 3 seasons.
i hope arshavin get number 10…
i just saw the arsenal transfer list…
i saw name D.Martinez which arsenal bought from independiente, if i’m not wrong…
Why this player not in the list??
is he in the U18’s squad??
anyway, congratulation for fran merida who has been called to the first team… i hope arsene will give carlos vela more chance to play… He is a wonder kid dude…
Whos the oldest Arsenal player ??
they should sack arsene wenger he never signs no-one