Celtic have dodged a bullet with Illan Meslier, and his expected move to Arsenal proves it

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Celtic have been searching for a new goalkeeper for some time now.

Whatever happens, a new shot-stopper will be signed by Celtic this summer, either as a first-choice keeper or as a back-up option.

One of the names previously being linked with Celtic was Illan Meslier – he left Leeds United this summer after his contract expired.

Meslier, who helped Leeds earn promotion to the Premier League two seasons ago, was left out in the cold by Daniel Farke last term, and he didn’t play a single minute.

But now the Frenchman is set to secure a move to Arsenal.

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Illan Meslier to sign for Arsenal as a ‘third-choice’ goalkeeper

Arsenal’s main man between the gloves is David Raya. Perhaps the best-performing keeper in Europe right now.

Then you have the experience of Kepa Arrizabalaga as the back-up.

Sky Sports are reporting that Meslier, who is 26, will sign for the champions of England on a free transfer and become the club’s ‘third-choice’ keeper.

Celtic have dodged a bullet with Meslier

The fact that Meslier, at the peak of his powers, has signed to be a third-choice just proves where his head is right now.

More than likely, Celtic would have signed him to compete for the number one spot.

But clearly, going in as a third-choice keeper at Arsenal suggests that he doesn’t trust himself to be number one elsewhere, and he is happy to remain out in the cold for at least another 12 months.

When you compare Celtic’s current number one, Viljami Sinisalo, to Meslier, you notice one stark difference in mindset.

During one of Sinisalo’s press conferences last season, he stated: ‘I never put a time limit on when I would become number one… I always worked as if I were number one.’

Even when the Finnish international joined the champions of Scotland from Aston Villa in 2024, as a back-up to Schmeichel, he made it clear that he is working towards being the number one, and now he is standing in that spot.

Clearly, with Meslier, he is happy to be the third choice. Not even be in the matchday squad most of the time, so Celtic have done well not to pursue anything further with the player.