- Premier League clubs have officially confirmed their 25-man top-flight squads
- 22-year-old goalkeeper James Hillson has been included on Arsenal’s list
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’
Many Arsenal fans were left scratching their heads as the club’s 25-man squad for the first half of the new Premier League season was confirmed on Wednesday.
All the big names were there, as you’d expect, and even the seriously injured Jurrien Timber was included.
However, there was one name on the list that stuck out like a sore thumb.
That name belonged to rookie goalkeeper James Hillson, a 22-year-old promoted to the senior squad following his impressive displays for the U21s last season.
Supporters quickly took to social media to respond to the squad announcement with many questioning ‘who is James Hillson?’
James Hillson has been included in Mikel Arteta’s 25-man Premier League squad list
In answer to that, Hillson’s player profile on the Arsenal website reads: ‘A goalkeeper who always establishes a strong command of his area.
‘James was on the bench for our first team for three Europa League games last season.
‘James joined us in 2019 from Reading and regularly trains with the first-team goalkeepers.
‘Now in his fifth season at the club, he is a vital part of the goalkeeping fraternity in the youth section.’
Hillson is still unlikely to see any first team action this season with Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya comfortably above him in the pecking order.
