Gabriel Jesus Excluded from Arsenal’s 2025/26 Champions League Squad as 15-Year-Old Max Dowman Makes Historic Cut

In a shocking squad announcement, Gabriel Jesus has been left out of Arsenal’s Champions League squad for the 2025/26 campaign, while 15-year-old sensation Max Dowman has made the historic cut. The Brazilian striker’s absence represents a significant blow to Arsenal’s European ambitions as he continues his recovery from knee surgery.

The Gabriel Jesus Situation: Arsenal’s Injury Dilemma

Gabriel Jesus’s exclusion from Arsenal’s 25-man Champions League A-List squad highlights the severity of his ongoing fitness concerns. The 28-year-old Brazilian has been sidelined since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee during an FA Cup third-round clash against Manchester United in mid-January 2025.

The timing of Gabriel Jesus’s injury could not have been worse for both player and club. The striker was experiencing a purple patch of form, having scored a hat-trick against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup, followed by two more goals against the same opposition in the Premier League, before netting against Brentford on New Year’s Day.

Arsenal’s Strategic Decision

Mikel Arteta’s decision to exclude Gabriel Jesus from the Champions League squad speaks volumes about the realistic timeline for his return. Under UEFA regulations, players can be added to knockout stage squads after the January transfer window, providing Arsenal with flexibility should Jesus achieve full fitness earlier than expected.

“Gabriel Jesus is still recovering from knee surgery, and with new signings in the mix, doubts remain over when he’ll return to lead Arsenal’s front line,” sources close to the club have indicated. The most reliable estimates suggest a return to competitive action in November at the earliest, meaning the Brazilian will miss the start of both the Premier League season and the Champions League group stage.

Max Dowman: Arsenal’s Historic Champions League Inclusion

In stark contrast to Gabriel Jesus’s absence, Arsenal have made headlines by including 15-year-old Max Dowman in their Champions League A-List squad. This unprecedented decision makes Dowman potentially the youngest player ever to feature in the Champions League, surpassing the current record held by Youssoufa Moukoko (16 years, 18 days).

The Significance of Dowman’s Inclusion

Max Dowman’s inclusion in Arsenal’s Champions League squad represents more than just squad depth – it’s a statement of intent about the club’s faith in their academy system. The teenager has already shown his capabilities at senior level, becoming the second-youngest player in Premier League history when he made his debut against Leeds United.

Mikel Arteta’s confidence in Dowman was evident in his post-match comments: “There is a kid here that has zero hesitation and is so convinced that at 15 he can go and deliver, which I have never witnessed in my life.“

Arsenal’s Complete Champions League Squad Analysis

Arsenal’s Champions League squad reflects significant investment in the summer transfer window, with eight new signings making the cut. The absence of Gabriel Jesus has been offset by the arrival of Viktor Gyökeres, who has already made an immediate impact.

Squad Breakdown by Position

Goalkeepers: David Raya, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Tommy Setford Defenders: William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, Piero Hincapié, Gabriel, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori Midfielders: Martin Ødegaard, Eberechi Eze, Christian Nørgaard, Leandro Trossard, Noni Madueke, Mikel Merino, Kai Havertz, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice, Max Dowman Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyökeres

Notable Squad Decisions

The inclusion of Max Dowman on the A-List rather than the B-List demonstrates Arsenal’s genuine intention to potentially use him in Champions League fixtures. Under UEFA regulations, Dowman needs to be registered on the A-List as he doesn’t qualify as a locally trained player due to his age and length of time at the club.

Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, meanwhile, have been included on the B-List and don’t need to be registered until they turn 21, providing Arsenal with additional flexibility.

The Tactical Implications for Arsenal

Gabriel Jesus’s absence creates both challenges and opportunities for Arsenal’s European campaign. His versatility as a central striker who could also operate wide made him valuable in different tactical setups.

How Arsenal Will Cope Without Gabriel Jesus

Viktor Gyökeres arrives as the primary replacement for Gabriel Jesus, bringing a more direct style of play. The Swedish striker’s physical presence and clinical finishing offer a different dimension to Arsenal’s attack compared to Jesus’s more fluid, creative approach.

The inclusion of Max Dowman provides Arsenal with an unpredictable wildcard option. His ability to play as an attacking midfielder or wide playmaker gives Arteta tactical flexibility, particularly in games where Arsenal need creativity from the bench.

European Competition Timeline

Arsenal’s Champions League campaign begins with a challenging fixture list that includes matches against Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and Club Brugge. The absence of Gabriel Jesus for these crucial early fixtures puts additional pressure on the new signings to deliver immediately.

The Broader Context: Arsenal’s Squad Evolution

The contrast between Gabriel Jesus’s exclusion and Max Dowman’s inclusion symbolizes Arsenal’s evolution under Mikel Arteta. The club has invested heavily in both proven talent and future potential, creating a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.

Gabriel Jesus’s situation also highlights the brutal realities of elite football. Despite his importance to the team when fit, his injury record has become a concern. Since joining Arsenal in July 2022, Jesus has struggled with various fitness issues, including the World Cup knee injury that hampered his debut season.

Looking Ahead: Redemption and Opportunity

For Gabriel Jesus, the focus now shifts to achieving full fitness and potentially earning inclusion in the knockout stage squad after January. His track record suggests that when healthy, he remains a valuable asset to Arsenal’s attacking options.

For Max Dowman, the Champions League inclusion represents the ultimate opportunity to showcase his talents on Europe’s biggest stage. If selected, he would become part of football folklore as potentially the youngest player to grace the Champions League.

The teenager’s journey from making his U18s debut at 13 to potentially playing in the Champions League at 15 represents one of the most remarkable rises in modern football. His inclusion demonstrates Arsenal’s commitment to trusting young talent when they show the necessary quality and mentality.

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