Arsenal had a strong year in 2023, as they bounced back from title disappointment to compete again, whilst they are also flying in the Champions...
Arsenal had a strong year in 2023, as they bounced back from title disappointment to compete again, whilst they are also flying in the Champions League.
Arsenal brought in several top players in 2023, including Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, whilst they also sold Granit Xhaka and Folarin Balogun, among others.
Whilst the squad is at its strongest in years, there are still a few gaps to be filled, whilst there are players who will need to depart the club in January or summer for their own benefit as well as the clubs.
Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar have cleared out a lot of deadwood in recent years including former record signing Nicolas Pepe, but there are still at least three more players who need to be sold.
Kieran Tierney
Although a popular figure at Arsenal, Kieran Tierney was a poor tactical fit for Arteta, and the Scotland star also suffered with injury issues.
He departed on loan to Real Sociedad in the summer, where he has impressed in appearances limited by further injuries.
Although it will be sad for a lot of fans to see him go, Arsenal could earn a substantial fee from his departure if he leaves this year, and given that he is not in the long-term plans, there is little point in keeping the £25m Unai Emery signing on the books.
Cedric Soares
Arsenal need to sell another fullback in Cedric Soares. The veteran recently made his first appearance of the season against PSV Eindhoven, and has only been in matchday squads following injuries to Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber.
Cedric is out of contract at the end of the season, but has also been linked with Villarreal, and a January exit could see Arsenal earn a fee for him.
Be it in the winter or summer, it is clear that the defender needs to depart Arsenal, and is not in Arteta’s plans going forward.
Albert Sambi Lokonga
Albert Sambi Lokonga arrived at Arsenal with a lot of promise two years ago, but never quite settled at the Emirates, and a failed loan spell at Crystal Palace last season saw him return to North London.
He then joined newly-promoted Luton Town on loan, but after initially impressing, he picked up a long-term injury.
Unless he has a miraculous turnaround in fitness and form, he is a player whom Arsenal could earn a transfer fee from, and there is likely to be Premier League interest in him. With plenty of competition in the Arsenal midfield right now, he is unlikely to usurp the likes of Rice or Havertz in the pecking order, and should be sold whilst he still has value in the market.