Arsenal could ship up to 11 players before the end of the transfer window as Mikel Arteta throws no punches in his summer reshuffle.
The Gunners narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification in May but, judging by their summer exploits, Arteta’s side are doing everything they can to refine their squad and do better this season.
According The sunArsenal are looking to offload up to 11 players by the end of the summer transfer window on September 1.
Many are stars who were loaned out last season, including Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira, who is in talks for a permanent move to Turkish club Galatasaray, and Folarin Balogun, who has been linked with a loan move to the French club of Reims.
The group of undesirables also includes Bernd Leno who is set to move to Fulham while Hector Bellerin’s future remains uncertain as he considers a move to Real Betis despite currently being unable to match the Arsenal’s £10million asking price.
The biggest name in the planned exodus is £72m signing Nicolas Pepe who has struggled for form since arriving in north London from Lille in 2019.
Pepe managed just five Premier League starts under Arteta last season, suggesting the Spanish tactician is no longer willing to offer the 27-year-old more chances.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles spent last season on loan at Jose Mourinho’s Roma and despite returning with a Europa Conference League winners’ medal it seems unlikely he will be a key figure in Arteta’s setup this season.
Pablo Mari, Reiss Nelson, Iceland goalkeeper Alex Runarsson and midfielder Matt Smith are also expected to leave this summer.
The Gunners attacked Manchester City for Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, while adding Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira, United States goalkeeper Matt Turner and teenage Brazilian winger Marquinhos.
Arsenal kick off the Premier League season on Friday night against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park – a game you can hear live on talkSPORT.
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