Arsenal: Gunners confirm number changes for Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Iwobi

Arsenal have confirmed four number changes ahead of the new season which was brought about by the departures of Tomas Rosicky and Mikel Arteta following the expiry of their contracts. Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Iwobi have taken new numbers ahead of the fresh season, while first summer signing Granit Xhaka has been given the number vacated by the Welshman.

The Chilean international has worn No 7 for most of his career with the national team and his former side Barcelona. However, he had to settle for No 17 following his arrival at north London in 2014 as Rosicky was the Gunners' No 7 at the time. However, following the Czech Republic international's departure this summer, Alexis has been handed the famed shirt, once donned by David Rocastle and Robert Pires.

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The Wales international midfielder has taken over the No 8 shirt vacated by Mikel Arteta, who has also left the club this summer. Ramsey previously donned the No 16 shirt, which has now been handed to Granit Xhaka. Arsene Wenger's first signing was keen on the No 34 shirt, which he has worn throughout his career, while also having the number tattooed on his back, but Francis Coquelin is currently the owner of that number.

One of Arsenal's highlights of the recently concluded season was the emergence of Alex Iwobi. The young forward, who joined the Gunners as an eight-year-old broke into the first-team and established himself as a regular member of the starting XI in the final months of the campaign. The 19-year-old's performances saw him move ahead of Theo Walcott and Joel Campbell in the pecking order, while also earning his first cap for Nigeria. He donned the No 45 for his debut campaign, but will switch over to the vacated No 17 shirt for the upcoming campaign.