Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly planning a mass clearout of seven fringe players in the summer transfer window. The Gunners have enjoyed a successful Premier League campaign this season, but their lack of depth has been exposed in cup competitions. Arteta is keen to build a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts next season and will therefore listen to offers for Nicolas Pepe, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, Pablo Mari, Cedric Soares and Alex Runarsson. Kieran Tierney’s future is also uncertain, with Newcastle monitoring the Scottish international’s situation, while Folarin Balogun could be sold following his impressive loan spell at Reims.
Pepe, Arsenal’s record signing, has spent the current season on loan at Nice and his wages could prove a stumbling block if the Gunners hope to receive a fee for him. The club may be forced to terminate his contract, as they did with Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Sead Kolasinac and Hector Bellerin earlier in Arteta’s reign. The other six players on the chopping block are all currently out on loan.
Arteta is expected to revive the club’s interest in Moises Caicedo and compete for the services of West Ham captain Declan Rice in the summer transfer window. Arsenal missed out on their top target in January and the additions of Jorginho and Leandro Trossard have proved to be short-term investments. Defender Jakub Kiwior is likely to feature more prominently next season.
The Gunners have been transformed under Arteta’s leadership, with the Spaniard instilling a winning culture at a club that had lost touch with England’s elite teams. Arsenal are closing in on their first Premier League title in nearly 20 years, but Arteta is aware that he needs a deeper squad to challenge for multiple trophies. The club were knocked out of the FA and League Cups prematurely this season and suffered a shock penalty shootout defeat against Sporting Lisbon in Europe.
The clearout of fringe players will free up funds for Arteta to strengthen his squad in key areas. The Gunners have been linked with a number of high-profile targets, including Rice, Caicedo and Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma. Arteta will be hoping to build a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title, as well as making progress in the cup competitions and Europe.
In conclusion, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is set to sanction a mass clearout of seven fringe players in the summer transfer window. The Gunners have enjoyed a successful Premier League campaign this season, but their lack of depth has been exposed in cup competitions. Arteta is keen to build a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts next season and will therefore listen to offers for Nicolas Pepe, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, Pablo Mari, Cedric Soares and Alex Runarsson. The clearout will free up funds for Arteta to strengthen his squad in key areas and build a team capable of challenging for the Premier League title, as well as making progress in the cup competitions and Europe.