Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus pictured during a 2025 Premier League match, highlighting his current absence from Arsenal's Champions League squad due to injury recovery. Getty Images via ESPN.
Credit: Getty Images via ESPN
Arsenal officially excluded Gabriel Jesus from their 2025/26 Champions League squad as the Brazilian striker continues recovering from knee surgery, with 15-year-old Max Dowman included instead.
Gabriel Jesus Misses Arsenal Champions League Squad During Knee Injury Recovery
Arsenal have officially announced their 25-player Champions League squad for the 2025/26 group stage without Gabriel Jesus, as the Brazilian forward remains sidelined following knee surgery earlier this year. The exclusion marks a significant blow for Mikel Arteta’s European campaign, with the striker having undergone the procedure in January and still requiring at least another month before returning to full team training.
Jesus has recently returned to individual training but remains weeks away from match fitness, prompting Arsenal’s decision to prioritize his complete recovery over rushing his comeback for European competition. The 28-year-old’s absence from the squad registration reflects the club’s cautious approach to his rehabilitation, with ESPN reporting him among notable absentees from Champions League squads across Europe’s elite clubs.
In a striking contrast to Jesus’s absence, Arsenal have included 15-year-old academy prospect Max Dowman in their Champions League registration, potentially making him the youngest-ever debutant if selected. The inclusion of Dowman alongside new signings Viktor Gyökeres and Kepa Arrizabalaga demonstrates how injury challenges have created opportunities for youth integration within Arteta’s squad planning.
Arsenal management have maintained their stance on allowing Jesus sufficient recovery time rather than accelerating his return for competitive fixtures, with the Brazilian understood to be focused entirely on his rehabilitation process. The club’s approach mirrors their handling of other long-term injuries, prioritizing player welfare over short-term squad availability for crucial European matches.
The exact timeline for Jesus’s full return to Arsenal’s first team remains uncertain beyond the estimated month-long period until team training integration, while it remains unclear whether he could be added to the Champions League squad during potential knockout stage registration opportunities. His exclusion raises questions about potential cameo appearances in lower-tier competitions before any return to elite European football, though no official timeline has been confirmed for his competitive comeback.
Arsenal’s ‘A List’ Champions League squad
-
Goalkeepers
- David Raya
- Kepa Arrizabalaga
- Tommy Setford
-
Defenders
- Ben White
- Jurrien Timber
- William Saliba
- Cristhian Mosquera
- Gabriel
- Riccardo Calafiori
- Piero Hincapie
-
Midfielders
- Martin Zubimendi
- Christian Norgaard
- Eberechi Eze
- Declan Rice
- Mikel Merino
- Martin Odegaard
- Kai Havertz
- Noni Madueke
- Leandro Trossard
- Max Dowman
-
Forwards
- Bukayo Saka
- Gabriel Martinelli
- Viktor Gyokeres
