Arsenal agree first deal of January transfer window after new contract signed

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Evening Standard

·9 Januari 2026

Arsenal agree first deal of January transfer window after new contract signed

Hale End graduate set for first-team chance after penning fresh terms at the Emirates

Arsenal have completed their first deal of the January transfer window after Louie Copley joined Crawley.

The midfielder, 19, heads to the League Two strugglers on loan for the remainder of the season as Scott Lindsey’s side - who currently sit 21st and only two points off the bottom of the table - desperately seek to avoid back-to-back relegations and a disastrous exit from the EFL.

The highly-rated Copley has first signed an improved contract at Arsenal, having first penned professional terms last summer.

He initially moved to the famed Hale End Academy from West Ham in 2019 and has been a regular for the Gunners at youth level, making 14 appearances so far this season.

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Copley scored a brilliant goal in last season’s FA Youth Cup quarter-final tie against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium and travelled with the senior team for their pre-season tour of Asia last summer.

“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,” Arsenal confirmed in a statement.

They added: “We wish Louie all the best for his loan spell and look forward to seeing his continued development.”

Copley has yet to make his senior competitive debut for Arsenal, though was named on the bench by manager Mikel Arteta for the 3-0 Champions League win over Club Brugge in Belgium last month.

He could make his Crawley debut next weekend, when they host play-off chasing Notts County at the Broadfield Stadium in West Sussex trying to end a damaging run of results that has seen them go 10 league games without a victory after a 3-0 loss at Cheltenham last time out.

The Red Devils - who have not won since beating 10-man Fleetwood in November - are not in action on FA Cup third-round weekend, having been knocked out in the first round 3-0 by National League side Boreham Wood in an upset.

“Crawley Town Football Club is delighted to announce the loan signing of midfielder Louie Copley from Premier League side Arsenal,” Crawley said.

“Everybody at the club wishes Louie all the best during his time at the club.”