Arsenal have been one of the most active teams in the summer transfer window this year, and while their activity didn’t seem to yield much in the form of results with Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, and Viktor Gyokeres all struggling in a 1-0 loss to Premier League champions Liverpool, there are high hopes for each of these players.
And on the bright side, the young center back Cristhian Mosquera looked excellent in sudden relief of injured superstar William Saliba, showing no signs of being scared against the best attack in the Premier League.
As Arsenal wrap up their busy summer transfer business, the final focus is now on sales, as many of the key players awaiting departures from the Emirates Stadium haven’t yet left the club officially.
According to a report from talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs and Alex Crooks, Arsenal are expecting a “series of outgoings” on deadline day this year, and Jacobs highlights five specific players set to leave.
Hamburg could land two Arsenal players this summer
The first is Sambi Lokonga, as the 25-year-old Belgian defensive midfielder is closing in on a permanent move to Hamburg, who, judging by their poor performance against bitter rivals St. Pauli on Friday night, could use a whole lot of help to put their midfield into shape and avoid immediate relegation.
Fabio Vieira is a classy Portuguese playmaker who hasn’t quite been able to fit the speed and athletic demands of the Premier League, but he could thrive in, say, the Bundesliga.
Per Jacobs, Hamburg are also in on Vieira as a possible loan acquistion, but one of the best teams in the German league, Champions League contenders Stuttgart, are also interested.
In addition to Lokonga, defender Jakub Kiwior is also close to an official transfer to Champions League side Porto, where he would be an excellent fit. He was a solid player for Arsenal but rendered surplus by other signings like Riccardo Calafiori and Mosquera, as well as Myles Lewis-Skelly’s timely breakout at left back.
Reiss Nelson could join forces with Alex Iwobi, goalkeeper Bernd Leno, and playmaker Emlie Smith-Rowe as the latest notable former Arsenal players to become key pieces in the puzzle to rivals Fulham, who are still seeking that closing push to European football.
And finally, the biggest expected exit on deadline day is left back Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is wanted by the ambitious Marseille project. OM just landed former Chelsea man Emerson Palmieri for a meager million, but he would soon be rendered a backup by the more technical and younger Zinchenko.
Joe Soriano is the editor of The Trivela Effect and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2011. He’s led top digital communities like The Real Champs (Real Madrid) and has contributed to sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. Joe’s work has appeared in ESPN, Bleacher Report, and Sports Illustrated. He also helped manage NFL Spin Zone and Daily DDT, covering the NFL and pro wrestling, respectively.