Arsenal issue transfer statement as agreement officially reached before move

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Arsenal have confirmed that young midfielder Louie Copley has joined Crawley Town on loan after signing a new deal with the Gunners. The 19-year-old is a product of the North London side’s academy, having joined as a youngster.

And having risen through the ranks, the midfielder has now been given his first shot at senior football after joining League Two side Crawley.

A statement from Arsenal on Friday read: “Louie Copley has signed a new professional contract with us and has joined League Two side Crawley Town on loan for the remainder of this season. The 19-year-old joined our academy in July 2019 and went on to sign his first professional contract with us in June 2025.

“Louie has had a successful start to the 2025/26 campaign, already making 14 appearances in all competitions for our academy sides, following his involvement in our pre-season tour of Asia. The versatile midfielder was also an unused substitute in our men’s first team away win against Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League in December.

“We wish Louie all the best for his loan spell and look forward to seeing his continued development. The loan deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.”

Copley joins a Crawley side struggling in League Two. The Sussex outfit have won just four out of their opening 25 league games, leaving them under real threat of slipping out of the Football League.

Copley will be made to wait for his debut for his new club. Crawley are not in action this weekend due to FA Cup action, with their next game pitting them against Notts County at home next weekend.

While Arsenal have allowed Copley to temporarily leave the club in the January window, they will adopt a different stance when it comes to fellow academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri. The midfielder was tipped for a loan move to Bournemouth after seeing opportunities dry up this season.

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But Arsenal will not allow him to leave , with there being a belief that he will be best served to stay in North London to learn from their senior players instead. Nwaneri could potentially get a chance to play over the coming weeks with a hectic fixture schedule.

Arsenal take on Championship side Portsmouth in the FA Cup this weekend ahead of a Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea . Mikel Arteta ’s side then face Premier League and Champions League games before the end of the month.

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