Arsenal announce 25-man Premier League squad including little-known youngster as fans are left asking ‘who?’
ARSENAL have confirmed their 25-man squad for the first half of the new Premier League season.
The Gunners were busy in the transfer market this past summer, splashing out a whopping £201million of four new additions.
Mikel Arteta bolstered his squad with Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and David Raya in a bid to improve on last season’s second-place finish.
And, as is customary this time of year, the North Londoners have announced their squad for their long and arduous domestic campaign.
The club’s four summer arrivals are part of the 25-man squad, even the crocked Timber.
There have been no surprise omissions, although fans have been left stunned by the inclusion of rookie goalkeeper James Hillson.
The 22-year-old has been promoted to the senior squad following a string of impressive displays for the Under 21s last season.
The Emirates faithful were stunned to see Hillson’s name in the list, with one tweeting: “Who TF is James Hillson?”
Another said: “Who is James Hillson? “
And another said: “Who’s James Hillson?”
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
Arsenal's 25-man Premier League squad
Mohamed Elneny
Kai Havertz
James Hillson*
Gabriel Jesus
Jorginho
Jakub Kiwior
Gabriel Magalhaes
Gabriel Martinelli
Reiss Nelson*
Eddie Nketiah*
Martin Odegaard
Thomas Partey
Aaron Ramsdale*
David Raya*
Declan Rice*
Bukayo Saka*
William Saliba*
Emile Smith Rowe*
Cedric Soares
Jurrien Timber
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Leandro Trossard
Fabio Vieira
Ben White*
Oleksandr Zinchenko
* Denotes home-grown player
One remarked: “Who the hell is James Hillson?”
Another chimed in: “Hopefully, he is another breakout star.”
One seemingly irate Gooner said: “FFS, man. Who the hell is James Hillson as well?”
Hillson will be hoping to get some game time in cup matches along with new signing Raya, who has been brought in to keep current No.1 Aaron Ramsdale on his toes.
He’s also been included in the Gunners’ 25-man Champions League squad – which was announced on Tuesday.
The Emirates faithful were also perplexed by the inclusion of Cedric Soares, who spent the second half of last season on loan with Fulham.
Arsenal will be back in action on Sunday, travelling to Goodison Park to take on struggling Everton.
Arteta’s troops travel to Merseyside on a high following a last-gasp victory over Manchester United earlier this month.