New Arsenal signings could receive three famous shirt numbers after three departures in the summer

Arsenal are confident of improving their squad before the end of the transfer window. Football.London has been announced, but no significant new signings are planned yet. So far, only Lucas Nygaard, a youth goalkeeper, has been signed, and more young players are expected to join to strengthen the academy.

There will also be movement outside the club and this is where exciting opportunities could arise for both existing and new players. As with every new season, new numbers become available as players leave the club either permanently or on loan.

This can lead to interesting scenarios. For example, according to the club’s website, both Jorginho and Nuno Tavares wear the number 20. Ben White signed in 2021 and took over William Saliba’s number 4, although he has since been given the number 2 shirt.

There are currently four numbers available in the first 25, with numbers 13, 16, 17 and 25 all available for new signings should they come along, or of course existing players promoted into one of those roles. Alexis Sanchez famously wore number 17, while Aaron Ramsey also wore number 16 for many years.

However, it is the numbers that could soon become available that offer a player the opportunity to get their hands on a historic shirt. Kieran Tierney may be injured at the moment, but with his future likely involving an exit, the number three shirt could actually become an option for new players.

Before Tierney, players such as Bacary Sagna, Ashley Cole, Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn wore the number three shirt. Any defender, perhaps Riccardo Calafiori, who has been linked with a move and was signed from Arsenal this summer, could snap up the famous number.

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Thomas Partey has also been linked with a possible move away from the club, which would free up the number 5 shirt. Before the Ghanaian got the shirt, it was worn by a group of legendary figures and some invincibles.

Kolo Toure, Martin Keown, David O’Leary and Tony Adams have all worn the number 5 shirt for the club at various times. Again, it is usually a defender’s number but has most recently been worn by midfielder Partey, opening up options for new signings.

Finally, Eddie Nketiah is the last player currently wearing a historic number who could also leave. The most famous number worn by Thierry Henry was given to Nketiah when he renewed his contract, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also got the number 14 at one point – any new striker could actually earn the right to wear the famous shirt number.