Arsenal has officially submitted its 25-man List A squad for the upcoming UEFA Champions League league phase. While the star-studded roster features blockbuster names, eagle-eyed supporters quickly noticed a major omission: highly-rated teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly.
However, there is no need for fans to panic. The midfielder's absence from the main list is a tactical registration decision rather than a selection snub.
The Strategic Loophole: What is List B?
Lewis-Skelly’s omission is entirely due to UEFA's administrative rules regarding youth players. Under UEFA guidelines, clubs can utilize a secondary registration tier known as "List B" to bolster their matchday squads.
To qualify for List B, a player must:
- Be born on or after January 1, 2004.
- Have been eligible to play for the club for an uninterrupted period of two years since their 15th birthday (or three consecutive years).
Because Lewis-Skelly fits these criteria, Arsenal does not need to use one of their precious 25 "List A" slots on him. Instead, he can be registered on List B at any time up until midnight (00:00 CET) on the night before any Champions League matchday.
Maximizing the 25-Man List A Limit
By keeping eligible youth prospects on List B, Arsenal’s coaching staff can maximize their senior squad depth. UEFA regulations state that List A can contain a maximum of 25 players, including at least two goalkeepers. Furthermore, eight of these spots must be reserved for "locally trained players."
Because players like Lewis-Skelly, Max Dowman, and Marli Salmon—both of whom made their continental debuts last season—can be added via List B with no limit on numbers, Arsenal was able to register a full-strength senior side.
The submitted List A features powerhouse options across the pitch:
- Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga, David Raya, Illan Meslier.
- Defenders: Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel, Piero Hincapie, Ezri Konsa, Cristhian Mosquera, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, Ben White.
- Midfielders: Eberechi Eze, Bruno Guimaraes, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi.
- Forwards: Viktor Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka, Christos Tzolis, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke.
What This Means for Lewis-Skelly
Far from being left out of Arsenal's European plans, Lewis-Skelly remains highly likely to feature in the Champions League campaign. This administrative move simply grants the club maximum squad flexibility as they prepare to navigate the demanding new league phase format.
