Even though it looks like Arsenal are pretty much complete in terms of squad building looking at it from the outside, the whole picture isn’t as finished as it seems.
Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo are being rumoured to come in among others but for both of those (and more) to happen Arsenal are likely to sell a few assets. Arsenal have more than a few players who could change their scenery come summer. The list is a lot longer than it seems. Remember all of these are “potential” sales and no one can safely predict who we will and won’t keep.
THE BIGGER NAMES
Kieran Tierney
Tierney has made a total of 112 appearances for Arsenal since the 19/20 season he joined. Although he has had his fair share of injuries during the years, he always remained a reliable presence when he played. He has been with Arteta from the beginning and is someone who Arteta relied upon heavily looking back. Tierney’s deal expires in 2026.
The arrival of Zinchenko was supposed to provide a competitive edge for him but Zinchenko turned into a key piece of the puzzle for Arteta and now looks like one of the first names on the teamsheet. That in turn has seen Tierney’s minutes limited to the occasional start here and there but mostly coming off the bench.
Tierney could easily be one of the players heading out in the summer with Newcastle reportedly interested in his services.
Granit Xhaka
Xhaka has been through it all at Arsenal. He could have left a long time ago and a transfer looked imminent more than once but Arteta eventually managed to keep him around and he’s grown into one of the key figures in the dressing room. He’s been playing in a more advanced position in a more complex role this season and is someone who the coach appreciates.
Still, the recent Rice+Caicedo talk doesn’t seem to be calming down and a transfer could happen if he can’t get assurances of playing time next season.
This is just my opinion but him leaving on the back of a potential title win and Champions League qualification we so long dreaded could be the final goodbye.
There hasn’t been much talk about him leaving though. I reiterate that he’s someone who Arteta values but I’ve seen crazier things happen and I’m just trying to connect the dots. He has a contract until 2024, but the club apparently have a 1 year option on top of that. Although there have been recent reports about talks as regards with a new deal, and if that’s materialized then the recruitment of new midfielder may be limited to one.
Albert Sambi Lokonga
Lokonga came to Arsenal as a highly rated box-to-box midfielder from Anderlecht, with Kompany describing him as the next Yaya Toure at the time. He’s had his good spells but never really settled into a position in the 39 games he’s played with the club.
Currently, on loan at Crystal Palace, he could be a candidate for a summer sale as a big midfield overhaul is coming and while his price of 15m is still somewhat recoupable. He has a contract until 2026 with Arsenal.
Monaco and Milan were the most recent clubs interested in signing the Belgian.
“MIDDLE” GROUND
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Maitland-Niles looked perfect in periods in the inverted wing-back role Mikel Arteta so highly needs. However, he didn’t see himself in the role (among other things) and loans to West Brom, Roma and Southampton followed.
Arsenal haven’t released any new information on his contract just yet but they have apparently exercised an option to extend his deal until 2024, before letting him leave on loan to Southampton.
Reiss Nelson
Reiss is a well known Hale end academy graduate who burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old. Benfica’s newspaper were famously cited saying “…he has everything it takes to be the best in the world” in 2016. after an impressive display on a pre-season tour in Australia.
Now 23, Reiss” career looks to have stalled a bit and he’s set to be a free agent if Arsenal chooses not to renew his contract. Arteta seemingly likes him, as he’s shown by giving him chances not many would expect at the time. However, a mixture of injuries and some bad luck meant that he could never fully grasp the chance. He’s only managed a handful of appearances this season, with most coming in the Europa League.
Nicolas Pepe
Not a lot can be said about Pepe’s time at Arsenal that already hasn’t been said. Nicolas Pepe had his highs and it looked like it’s all working out in moments but eventually, nothing worked out as planned. Arsenal’s most expensive signing ever is a title he’ll unfortunately always be remembered for but Pepe looks like he’s enjoying his football back where he started his rise to fame.
Ligue 1 is a league more suited to his skillset and Nice could look to make his loan a permanent transfer provided the price is right. He has 8 goals in all competitions for the French side this season. Pepe’s current deal expires in 2024.
Nuno Tavares
Nuno was a 7m acquisition from Benfica in what was looked at as a relatively low-risk deal. Zinchenko‘s arrival meant there was no space for him anymore and a loan looked like the best option for both parties.
He acclimatised to Ligue 1 football well and currently holds the title of the “defender” with the highest goals scored in all top five leagues (6). Arsenal did well not to include a buy option clause as they now have more leverage to negotiate a higher-priced deal in the summer as a departure looks likely. He has a contract until 2025.
CONTRACT TERMINATIONS AND LOW VALUE
Cedric Soares
Cedric is currently on loan at Marco Silva’s Fulham and he has a contract until 2024. He has been a solid backup over the years and remained a steady professional during the time, making 59 appearances for the club in total.
Arsenal are likely to let him go in the summer and a mutual contract termination isn’t out of the question.
Alex Runarsson
Runarsson came to Arsenal in a low 1m fee deal in place of a backup goalkeeper. The jump in the level of the league was quite high for him and he never really settled.
2 loans later, he’s now at Alanyaspor, getting regular minutes as a 1st choice goalkeeper. His side are currently 11th in the league.
He has a contract until the summer of 2024 and Arsenal would sanction a sale if the opportunity arises.
SUMMING it up, Arsenal have to make the next summer count in terms of departures. There’s genuine value in our potential outgoings and its going to be interesting to see how the market holds up. Let’s see how it plays out.
