Arsenal could be on the verge of moving out a player they have only just brought into the squad.

The Gunners are preparing for the possibility of allowing a player who arrived only this summer to leave.

Arsenal have taken a measured approach in the transfer window, strengthening defence with Ezri Konsa, midfield with Bruno Guimaraes and attack with Christos Tzolis, while Julian Alvarez remains the headline target of the window.

But it is in the goalkeeping department where Arsenal may yet see a surprise exit before the transfer deadline.

French goalkeeper Illan Meslier was manager Mikel Arteta’s first signing of the summer, joining at London Colney to battle with Kepa Arrizabalaga for the opportunity to serve as David Raya’s understudy.

Spain’s World Cup-winning keeper Raya is the undisputed first-choice between the posts for the Gunners, having claimed the Premier League Golden Glove in each of the last three seasons — and FourFourTwo understands that his place in the side is every bit as secure as that of players such as Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.

There could still be movement among Arsenal’s goalkeepers, though. Journalist Santi Aouna has said that Marseille are considering a move for Meslier.

Aouna says that “Marseille still need to trim the squad before they can make concrete progress”, but the French club could still come forward with a loan move for the Frenchman before next week’s transfer deadline.

Arsenal had been widely expected to approve a loan move for 20-year-old Tommy Setford, who was Arteta’s third-choice goalkeeper last season. However, this latest development indicates that the Dutch-born England youth international could stay for another year, with Meslier potentially leaving instead.

The Premier League champions have seen significant turnover in the goalkeeping position, having signed a goalkeeper in every year since Arteta became manager.

In 2020, FA Cup winner Emiliano Martinez left for Aston Villa and was replaced by Alex Runarsson. He was then effectively superseded when the Gunners brought in Mat Ryan on loan in January, and again in the summer of 2021, when Aaron Ramsdale arrived as the club’s new No.1.

United States men’s national team goalkeeper Matt Turner joined in 2022 to replace the departed Bernd Leno as Ramsdale’s backup, before Raya signed on loan in 2023 and then completed a permanent move in 2024.

After Ramsdale left in the summer of 2024, the North London club signed Neto on loan from Bournemouth, before Kepa became the side’s cup goalkeeper when he joined from Chelsea 12 months ago.

According to Transfermarkt, Meslier is valued at €8m. Arsenal return to Premier League action next weekend against Aston Villa.