EXPLAINER: Why Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly aren’t on Arsenal’s Champions League list A squad

When UEFA released Arsenal’s 23-player List A for the Champions League phase, fans were shocked to find 15-year-old Max Dowman included among the senior players, while promising youngsters Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly were missing.

Was this a mistake or a deliberate choice? Not really.

The explanation can be found in UEFA’s squad registration rules, which aim to promote top-level competition while fostering the growth of homegrown talent.

What exactly is List A?
According to UEFA rules, List A is the official Champions League roster, subject to several strict requirements:

It can have a maximum of 25 players, including at least two goalkeepers.

Eight spots are reserved for ‘locally trained players’—those who were developed at the club or within the same national association from ages 15 to 21.

Out of these eight, only four can be classified as association-trained, meaning they were trained at another English club.

If a team is unable to fulfill the locally-trained requirement, the overall squad limit decreases.

Modifications to the squad are only permitted before the round of 16 in February 2026, at which point three additional players can be added.

In Arsenal’s 23-player List A, you'll find familiar names such as Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, and William Saliba, along with young Dowman, who is included in the midfield lineup.

What about List B?
This is where Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly come into play.

List B allows clubs the chance to include talent from their own academies.

Eligibility criteria state that players must have been born on or after January 1, 2004, and registered with the club for at least two consecutive years after their 15th birthday, or for three years along with a brief loan.

There is no limit on the number of players that can be added to List B, as long as they are submitted by midnight the day before each match.

Both Nwaneri (17) and Lewis-Skelly (18) qualify since they have been with Arsenal long enough. Therefore, they don’t occupy spots on List A; instead, they can be listed on List B for every game.

Why Dowman Was Included in List A

Dowman stands out as an exception. At only 15 years old, he hasn’t completed the required two years of registration with UEFA for List B eligibility since turning 15.

This left Arsenal with one clear option: to ensure his eligibility, he had to go on List A.

This decision was not merely a matter of prestige; it was a necessary compliance with regulations and an indication of Mikel Arteta’s confidence in his youngest talent.

The Bigger Picture: Effective Squad Management

What may seem like an oversight is actually a smart strategy from Arsenal:

Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly were not included in List A, but they are eligible through List B and can be selected for any match.

Dowman is on List A due to UEFA requirements.

Arteta has effectively maximized squad depth by freeing up senior spots on List A, while still having academy players ready.

This strategy means Arsenal actually has a broader selection than the 23 players on List A suggest, as young talents on List B can step in when necessary.

Arsenal’s Champions League Squad

List A (23 players):
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

List B (to be chosen for each match):
Expected to feature Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and other talents from Hale End.

UCL Match Day 1

As Arsenal starts their season away against Athletic Bilbao on September 16, the media might highlight Dowman’s significant journey. However, it’s important to understand that Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly are not excluded; they are simply listed on List B.

Arsenal supporters can feel at ease: their standout young players are very much part of the Champions League plans. The exclusion isn’t a disadvantage; it showcases how the club is skillfully navigating the rules while excelling on the pitch.