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Massive clear out at Arsenal: Mikel Arteta to reportedly offload seven players in the summer

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Massive clear out at Arsenal: Mikel Arteta to reportedly offload seven players in the summer
Massive clear out at Arsenal: Mikel Arteta to reportedly offload seven players in the summer

New Delhi: Premier League side Arsenal are reportedly set for a major squad clear-out this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to reshape his squad in another attempt to end their Premier League draught. The Gunners, who are facing another potential trophyless campaign, have already identified multiple players who will be moved on to make room for key additions in the transfer window.

The club have already been knocked out of both the Carabao and the FA Cup, while the league title seems to be getting out of reach for another season as leaders Liverpool can potentially extend their lead to nine points with a win against Everton. This showcases that the club is in dire need of reinforcements and manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly planning to offload seven of the club’s current players to fund their summer spending spree.

According to reports from The Mirror, two of these seven include current loanees Raheem Sterling and Norberto Neto, neither of whom have particularly impressed this season. Sterling, in particular, has been labeled a ‘flop’ after managing just one goal in 18 games, while veteran goalkeeper Neto was always a short-term option and has barely featured. Both of them were last minute additions in the summer window after the club failed to secure other targets and were only seen as stop-gap options.

Additionally, midfielders Thomas Partey and Jorginho are also expected to leave the club come the summer when their contracts expire. Neither of them are a part of Arsenal’s first choice squad anymore and are only called upon due to any injury crisis. Jorginho was also subject to a move away from the club in the January window with a move to Flamengo on the cards but the club blocked his exit for the remainder of the season.

Kieran Tierney is another whose contract’s expiring at the end of the season and he seemed set to return to Celtic in January before Arsenal opted to keep him for another few months for squad depth. The Scotsman has already agreed to rejoin Celtic at the end of the season. The remaining two names on the list reported by The Mirror, are those of the defensive duo of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior.

Both of them have fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates following the arrival of players like Jurien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori. Kiwior has struggled to establish himself since his £16m move from Spezia, while Zinchenko, who was a key player last season, has seen his influence wane. Arsenal tried to offload him in January itself but reportedly had no offers for the Ukrainian, which could make offloading him a challenge.

Arsenal’s Potential Plan for the Summer Transfer Window

While offloading these players would not get the club a huge sum of money in terms of the transfer fee but given the huge salary some of these names are on, it’ll lessen the club’s wage bill massively, helping the club focus on bringing in reinforcements. Arsenal are looking to add at least four high-profile signings to their squad, with a new striker, a defensive midfielder, and a goalkeeper at the top of Arteta’s wishlist.

The club has long been liked with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, who has emerged as their top target for the summer. Newcastle’s Alexander Isak is also admired by the club but any potential move for him would likely require a league record-breaking fee. Signing a striker is the club’s top most priority at the moment with Gabriel Jesus being injury prone and Kai Havertz not suited to playing as a number nine.

In midfield, Arsenal are reportedly looking to secure the signature of Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi. The Spanish international and Euro 2024 winner is expected to join for around £51m, adding much-needed steel and composure to Arsenal’s midfield. Meanwhile, the club is also in the hunt for teenage sensation Sverre Nypan after failing to land him in January.

A new backup goalkeeper is also on Arteta’s agenda, with Espanyol’s Joan Garcia topping the shortlist. Arsenal are keen to bring in a reliable option to support or challenge current first-choice keeper David Raya. The Gunners were interested in bringing the Spaniard in the summer as well but balked at the player’s release clause as Espanyol weren’t interested in negotiating a fee.

 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly targeting a massive clear out in the summer to fund the club’s summer spending spree with as many as seven current players set to leave the club.  Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today

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