Arsenal have confirmed four first team players will leave the club upon the expiry of their contracts on June 30, with a number of youth stars also departing.
The Gunners released their retained list for the 2025/26 season on Wednesday and it was confirmed that Jorginho, Raheem Sterling, Kieran Tierney and Neto will all leave the north Londoners. Sterling and Neto will return to Chelsea and Bournemouth, respectively, after their season-long loan deals, while Tierney is expected to join former side Celtic.
Jorginho, meanwhile, looks set to join Brazilian club Flamengo and may even play a part in the upcoming Club World Cup. "When I arrived at Arsenal I wasn't just joining a club, I was stepping into a family. A team full of hunger, passion and purpose," the Italian wrote in a goodbye message last week.
"I gave everything I had, every day, every match. Not just for the result but for this shirt, for the fans. Your support, it meant everything whether I was starting or on the bench. You made me feel valued, loved. That's rare in football and I'll never forget it.
"Now, it's time to say goodbye, or maybe a 'see you soon'. When a place feels like home a farewell is never easy, but I leave with my head held high and my heart full."
As well as the four aforementioned players, 13 players from the club's youth sides will also depart on June 30. The listed players include: Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Reece Clairmont, Khayon Edwards, Jakai Fisher, Romari Forde, Jimi Gower, Jack Henry-Francis, Max Kuczynski, Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand, Ismail M’Hand, Brian Okonkwo, Elian Quesada-Thorn and Zacariah Shuaib.
Butler-Oyedeji made his debut for Arsenal this season, coming off the bench in the 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League. The striker was handed his second appearance against Ipswich Town in April and, in total, was included in more than 20 matchday squads. Henry-Francis and Gower have also been on the fringes of the first team in recent months, while Edwards departs having scored 10 goals in 17 appearances in the Premier League 2 this campaign.
Arsenal also confirmed "discussions are ongoing" with Thomas Partey and Michal Rosiak over extensions of their contracts. Mikel Arteta wants the Ghana international to stay following an impressive 2024/25 season. Arsenal said in a statement: "Any further developments regarding players extending their contracts, as well as joining/re-joining, or leaving us, will be officially communicated when confirmed."
The news of the 17 players departing the Gunners comes as new sporting director Andrea Berta looks to put his stamp on the squad. There may be further exits during the summer as Arsenal look to raise funds to improve the starting XI, with the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko all linked with moves to north London.