Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is on the verge of completing his squad for the Premier League campaign, with at least two more players expected to leave the Emirates shortly...CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu have gained a reputation for being ruthless when it comes to releasing players.
The likes of Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, David Luiz, Alex Lacazette, Shkodran Mustafi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have all received the chop during the last few seasons and more players could leave the Emirates before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
Arteta has already said goodbye to several first-team stars this summer, such as Nicolas Pepe, Pablo Mari, Bernd Leno, Nuno Tavares and Lucas Torreira. Here, take a look at four players who could still leave the Emirates in the coming days.
Hector Bellerin
The Spain international, 27, spent last season on loan at Real Betis and is tipped to leave after failing to appear in Arsenal’s first four Premier League games this term. He’s behind Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Cedric Soares in the right-back pecking order.
Betis have made no secret of their desire to re-sign Bellerin, while Barcelona are also thought to be interested. With just one year left on his deal, the defender is expected to complete a loan move or see his contracted terminated 10 months ahead of schedule.
It’s believed Bellerin is earning £110,000-a-week at Arsenal and is unlikely to get that salary anywhere else. A loan move would see the Gunners continue to pay a chunk of his wage, while a contract termination would see Bellerin receive a pay off.
Hector Bellerin is likely to leave Arsenal in the coming days
The latter is perhaps a more realistic option as it allows Bellerin to negotiate a long-term deal with his next club. That cancellation can also take place after deadline day, giving all parties concerned more time to resolve the Spaniard’s future.
Edu isn’t scared to release players. Speaking to The Athletic in July, the Arsenal chief said: “If you imagine, ‘Oh, no problem: this season we’re going to expose the player a little bit more and then we sell them’ – no, be realistic.
“You don’t want to sell the player. Try to avoid one more year with the problem inside, in the dressing room, expensive, not performing. Clean, take it out. Even, I’m sorry, if you have to pay. To leave is better. Because that guy is sometimes also blocking someone.”
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is expected to make a deadline-day move
The England international, 25, is another player who seems certain to be on the move this week. He is at the centre of a last-minute battle for his signature, with Southampton and Newcastle seriously considering late bids. Arsenal are happy for him to leave.
Maitland-Niles – who is capable of playing at right-back, on the wing or in central midfield – has one year left on his deal and hasn’t played for the Gunners this term. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Roma, winning the Europa Conference League.
Nottingham Forest have also expressed an interest in Maitland-Niles and so have Bournemouth, although they sacked manager Scott Parker on Tuesday. The Englishman is likely to complete a loan move or have his contract cancelled, just like Bellerin.
Albert Sambi Lokonga could leave Arsenal on loan if another midfielder comes through the door
The Belgium international, 22, isn’t expected to leave arsenal this summer but could secure a loan move if Arteta brings in a new central midfielder. The likes of Ruben Neves and Youri Tielemans have been linked with the Gunners throughout the transfer window.
Lokonga has struggled to adapt to English football since his move from Anderlecht last summer, playing just 21 Premier League games to date. He’s played just three minutes of Premier League football this season, equating to two substitute appearances.
Whatever happens, Lokonga’s contract will not be cancelled. The midfielder still has four years left on his deal and a loan move appears to be his only exit route. It’s believed Roma are considering a bid after Georginio Wijnaldum suffered a broken leg.
Cedric Soares may struggle for minutes this term
The 31-year-old is another player set to stay at the Emirates but could be deemed surplus to requirements if Arteta believes he’s got enough cover in defence.
Cedric has previously been used at right-back and left-back, with his versatility easing selection dilemmas.
Yet White’s performances at right-back this term and Tomiyasu’s quality has left Soares third choice in that department. Arteta is also not desperate for cover at left-back anymore following the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City.
Cedric has found it difficult to get into Arsenal’s matchday squad this season, making the bench just twice. He’s yet to feature in the Premier League.
“The new players are connecting really well with the rest of the team and the squad is becoming a strong unit,” Cedric told the Evening Standard earlier this month. “Personally, I am very motivated after these last few [pre-season] games and I feel ready to help the team achieve their goals for this season.”
