Andrea Berta's first Arsenal transfer window is expected to be a big one. It needs to be.
With the challenge of competing at the top of the Premier League table getting tougher and tougher, Arsenal's business must be spot on if they are to go one step further than what looks set to be three consecutive second-place finishes. Fortunately for Berta, the demands are pretty simple.
A new striker is paramount, as is quality and depth on the wings. Midfield reinforcement will be needed and a backup goalkeeper, plus possibly a third-choice, are on the list as well.
To fund that, and to help flesh out Mikel Arteta's squad, Berta will need funds. Champions League revenue and a strong summer of sales last year will go some way to doing that but Arsenal know they will need to refresh again.
Arteta has liked to keep his group small in the past few years but it has proved problematic with injuries this season. That complicates matters with as many as 11 players potentially on their way out.
Here, football.london has compiled an entire team of those who may well leave over the summer.
Starting in goal and Karl Hein was sent on loan over the summer despite Arsenal not having a replacement. They do have Tommy Setford, although he is just a teenager, and Neto was signed on loan. Hein has never really made it, though.
Coming through the academy, Hein signed a contract extension before heading to Real Valladolid. With Jack Porter also extremely highly rated in the youth setup, Hein's time may well be up.
The defence put together here is a bit mix-and-match but do bare with. Takehiro Tomiyasu at right-back is certainly correct. He has struggled with injuries for the last two years and with only 18 months left on his contract, Arsenal will surely be looking to cash in.
After spending £15million on Tomiyasu there isn't a major loss to be made. When he is fit he has been a versatile option for Arsenal. Injuries have hampered his teammate, Kieran Tierney, as well.
The Scot sees his deal expire at the end of June with a move to Celtic expected. He is one of three who are almost certain to be on their way out for nothing. Arsenal's low-risk £10million purchase of Tierney never massively paid off but has been a useful addition nonetheless.
Jakub Kiwior cost twice and much and has found a defensive duo of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba too much to get in front of. He was picked up in January 2023 as mid-season reinforcement for the ongoing title push but hasn't managed to break into the team.
Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko could leave Arsenal this summer
Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko could leave Arsenal this summer (Image: Getty Images)
Able to play on the left or in the middle, Kiwior has suitors in Italy and is hardly playing for Arteta. It would be a surprise if an upgrade wasn't sought out.
For the past season, Kiwior has been one of six players who can operate at left-back. One of them is Oleksandr Zinchenko. He is along with Tomiyasu in being out of contract in 2026 and interest from Borussia Dortmund has surfaced previously.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has usurped him in defence and is also a more accomplished midfield body as well when Arteta wants his players to invert. Jurrien Timber is ahead of Zinchenko at the back too. He played a big role in establishing Arsenal in the elite again after his £32million transfer from Manchester City but his job looks to have been done.
If Zinchenko is one of the more sellable assets for his age and price then Jorginho and Thomas Partey are at the other end of the spectrum. They have no value as midfielders over 30 and will be out of contract in the summer. They are both set to depart. Martin Zubimendi is the prime target to come in. Jorginho was the third signing in the winter 2023 window for £10million.
Arriving between Jorginho and Partey, in 2021, is Albert Sambi Lokonga. He moved for £13million as a young and promising midfielder from Belgium but took time to adapt to life in England. Loans to Crystal Palace and Luton have helped him stabilise and this season at Sevilla.
Arsenal will need depth in the centre of the park next year but Lokonga doesn't look likely to be the answer. Joining the loanees without a part-to-play list is Reiss Nelson.
He is among the Fulham contingent of interest to Arsenal but will almost certainly see his 18-year affiliation with Arsenal end this summer. The club were open to selling him to Leicester City and will be looking for other permanent destinations again.
On the other side and Leandro Trossard is in the Tomiyasu-Zinchenko 2026 camp. He has done his job since signing for £28million in January 2023 along with Kiwior. Trossard hasn't nailed himself down as a starter, though, and has garnered interest from the Middle East. If Arsenal get a new forward to support Bukayo Saka then selling could be on the cards.
(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
With Gabriel Jesus, the second most expensive player in this team at £45million behind only the £50million Partey, things are complicated. He is out until the new season with a knee injury which could put a transfer in doubt. Jesus is a long way removed from his best form, though and a burst prior to being ruled out for nine months does not change that.
Arsenal cannot rely on Jesus and know it. Like Zinchenko, he has helped to elevate the club but is now not in a position to help them push on.
That finishes the starting XI but there are three more players of note. Fabio Vieira has been thoroughly disappointing since his transfer from Porto for £40million. He has 18 months left on his contract and is on loan back in Portugal. Arsenal will want a resolution to his situation.
Marquinhos was a much lower-key purchase. He moved for £3million from Brazil and has been on a number of loans since. There has been the occasional spark but he will not be in the short, medium, or long-term plans. Then there is Nuno Tavares.
One of the 2021 summer deals with Aaron Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Ben White, and Lokonga, Tavares has had an excellent year on loan in Italy with Lazio. He is set to leave permanently at the end of the season having signed for just £5million. Lazio have claimed he is now worth upwards of £60million but Arsenal will be able to bank an easy profit here no matter what.
Transfers out for some or all of these players will be key to generating cash in a window which has a £150million Alexander Isak or £55million Benjamin Sesko right at the front and centre. Fortunately for Arsenal, there is plenty here to play with.
They spent £223million on the starting XI and another £78million for the substitutes. It is almost the same as they spent on a team of players signed but now sold under Arteta, which football.london has looked at, here.
Arsenal sellable XI: Hein; Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Tierney, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Partey, Lokonga; Nelson, Jesus, Trossard.
Bench: Vieira, Tavares, Marquinhos.
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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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