Arsenal’s summer transfer plans are becoming clearer and clearer.
Following an extremely disappointing 2020/21 season that ended with failure to qualify for Europe for the first time in 25 years, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu are expected to be busy addressing certain areas in the first-team squad.
The latest of several names being linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium is that of Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana.
As reported by football.london, Onana is regarded as the long-term replacement for Bernd Leno, at Arsenal but a move has been made complicated with the stopper awaiting a verdict on his appeal to have his one year ban due to a doping violation reduced.
It’s understood that the Gunners will still press ahead with plans to sign the Cameroon international even if the ban is not upheld as it could result in the keeper being available for a cut-price £7m deal.
If Onana were to join the club, supporters will be looking forward to seeing the 25-year-old holding the Arsenal shirt at his unveiling – but what squad number could the midfielder take at the Emirates?
Well, it would appear that Onana has one favoured option.
He’s worn no.24 for Ajax ever since switching from no.1 in the summer of 2018.
At Arsenal, the incumbent no.24 is Reiss Nelson, who featured just once under Arteta in 2021 across all competitions.
But as talks are expected with the winger ahead of next season, Onana could get his dream shirt number if Nelson moves on or is willing to vacate his shirt number.
Otherwise, Onana would have to look elsewhere if he was to become the England U21 international’s teammate at some point this summer.
With that said, what other squad numbers would be available to the goalkeeper if he does sign for Arsenal in the summer transfer window?
Below, we take a look to see what numbers are currently free at Arsenal.
No.5
Sokratis vacated the iconic No.5 upon leaving the Gunners in the January transfer window. Although it may not be vacant for too much longer if Partey gets his way this summer.
No.8
Dani Ceballos took over the No.8 shirt after it was vacated by Aaron Ramsey and used it during his two-year loan spell.
However, he has already bid farewell to Arsenal and that means the shirt number will be up for grabs once again next season.
No.10
Worn by the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Jack Wilshere, and Robin van Persie, the No.10 became vacant in January when Mesut Ozil joined Fenerbahce on a free transfer.
No.20
Shkodran Mustafi was another high-profile exit in January and that means his No.20 shirt is up for grabs.
No.23
David Luiz will leave Arsenal when his contract expires at the end of the month and the No.23 will soon become vacant.
No.26
Emiliano Martinez’s £20m move to Aston Villa last summer meant he vacated the no.26 shirt.
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There are several more shirt numbers available at Arsenal right now, but that may not be the case in the summer when their loan stars return to the club.
William Saliba, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Joe Willock, Matteo Guendouzi, and Sead Kolasinac all spent time out on loan this season and it meant the No.4 , No.15 , No.27 , No.28 , No.29 , and No.31 had been up for grabs.
Interestingly, Arsenal did give Lucas Torreira’s No.11 to Odegaard in January, despite the fact that the midfielder was only on loan at Atletico Madrid for one season.
Although, it is highly unlikely Onana will be wearing 5, 8, 10 or 11 if he was to join the Gunners.