Arsenal are expected to be busy in the summer transfer window with sources telling football.london that there is an expectation Mikel Arteta will have a stronger group to take on the four competitions next season. However, for some to come in, some may have to leave.
There is a feeling that there could be a surprise departure from north London with a player currently playing plenty of minutes in the side either choosing to go or indeed the club are offered a proposal too good to turn down. The identity of such player remains a mystery at this stage but potentially new sporting director Andrea Berta will have a big say.
There remains two-plus months left of the current campaign before the transfer window’s secrets become revealed. However, football.london has three players who could be the answer to this particular query.
Leandro Trossard
The Belgian has started more games this season than in any other for the Gunners as injuries to Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli have plagued the season, even Martin Odegaard and Ethan Nwaneri have been absent moving Trossard into four different roles throughout the campaign. However, despite his utility, he has been unable to match the levels of last season.
17 goals across all competitions helped the Gunners to fight to the end when taking on Manchester City - the forward has just six goals this campaign. Yet a bid from Saudi Arabia after the summer window in England had closed was turned down but a returning offer in 2025 could tempt the club, especially considering the likes of Nico Williams, another left winger, is on their summer wishlist.
Gabriel Martinelli
Sticking with the left wing, if it is not Trossard who leaves to make way for another potential option, it could be that Gabriel Martinelli is the player who departs. Proposing this three years ago and you’d have been told you were crazy to suggest Martinelli could go.
However, the Brazilian who turns 24 in June, continues with the same final third struggles and suffered a hamstring problem this season too. Martinelli is likely the club’s most expensive player who they would be open to replacing as is the desire for certain targets in the left forward role.
William Saliba
A nightmare scenario but the interest from Real Madrid is well-documented at this stage. Having asked Saliba for a way to ease fans’ nerves regarding his future, he has stated he's happy and wishes to continue.
That said, the longer his contract goes unsigned, or talks do not take place, a triple-million-pound offer from Los Blancos will be hard to turn down if he expresses any desire to leave or to not sign on with the club. The priority should be absolutely to extend, not sell, but realistically Arsenal cannot allow such a valuable player to depart for nothing at the end of his deal.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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