Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal squad are in a wierd place, going into the summer time switch market.
On the one hand, Arteta’s on the cusp of getting led this aspect to a few successive second-placed finishes, with world-class high quality in a number of areas of the squad – however on the opposite, the ultimate push to show his aspect from opponents into winners is probably the most tough a part of the venture.
With new sporting director Andrea Berta in place, the Gunners are all set for an additional busy summer time… however who’s staying and going at Arsenal ? Here is the complete breakdown.
The Arsenal squad for 2024/25 and their present standing
Goalkeepers David Raya
David Raya is vital to Arsenal (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 29 Capology : £100,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €40.00m
The undisputed no.1 at Arsenal following his battle with Aaron Ramsdale, David Raya was wanted for various years earlier than incomes his everlasting transfer final summer time, following a mortgage stint from Brentford .
Ranked at no.5 in FourFourTwo’s record of the most effective goalkeepers on the earth proper now , Raya has been glorious this season – and because the protege of Gunners goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana, he is been the mannequin that the remainder of the membership has adopted in revolutionising their goalkeeping division .
However whereas the Spanish stopper continues to be younger in keeper years and has a contract in N5 that stretches for an additional three years, the membership will likely be wanting to make sure the way forward for the place in years to come back – as proven with acquisitions of Tommy Setford and Lucas Nygaard within the academy.
That is far off, although: Arsenal will need to herald a goalkeeper this summer time aged between 21 and 25 to problem Raya throughout the remainder of his present contract, with a view to maybe changing him at some point.
FourFourTwo verdict: Staying.
Neto
Neto has been on mortgage this season (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 35 Capology : £50,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €2.00m
Neto has been there and executed that, winding up at Bournemouth by way of Barcelona in an extended profession that noticed the Cherries mortgage him to the Gunners initially of this season as cowl for Raya.
Having performed as soon as – and never significantly impressed in that fixture – a return to the South Coast appears inevitable forward of a contemporary problem elsewhere (and maybe his final earlier than retirement). He isn’t coming again to Arsenal… is he?
The Brazilian’s wages actually recommend such: Neto’s in all probability on the utmost that Arsenal would tolerate for a no.2 between the sticks, however he is not on the stage of his profession for the position.
Taking a pay reduce to turn into the skilled third-choice within the ilk of Tom Heaton or Scott Carson at both Manchester membership appears out of the query, too, given an absence of homegrown standing. Appears like Neto’s Arsenal journey is up.
FourFourTwo verdict: Arsenal will not make this mortgage everlasting.
Defenders Ben White
Ben White has spent a lot of this season injured (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 27 Capology : £150,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €50.00m
Whereas the view from the surface is that Ben White has been usurped by Jurrien Timber within the right-back position, the fact is a bit more complicated.
White underwent lengthy overdue knee surgical procedure earlier this season and would have challenged the Dutchman for a beginning berth had been it not for that, with this season used to recuperate earlier than returning subsequent season.
The concept is that Arsenal do not have a first-choice right-back if everybody’s match: White and Timber supply various things for various eventualities and subsequent season, we should always hopefully see the pair share minutes much more evenly.
Regardless of his restricted appearances, there isn’t any query that White is a valued member of the squad and will likely be subsequent season.
FourFourTwo verdict: Staying.
Gabriel
Gabriel is integral in each bins for Arsenal (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 27 Capology : £100,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €75.00m
One other of the squad’s most valued members, Gabriel had been an absolute rock of the Arteta period up till an premature hamstring damage dominated him out for the season.
The Brazilian is without doubt one of the first names on the workforce sheet and integral to the workforce’s set-piece prowess. There isn’t any query of Arteta wanting him to stay on the membership: the one problem might come together with his contract state of affairs.
Gabriel’s present deal expires in 2027: Saudi Professional League golf equipment have circled prior to now and so there will likely be a query for Andrea Berta to reply: does he need to tie a centre-back down past the age of 29, or money in the place he can?
William Saliba’s contract expires in 2027, too, and the Frenchman will in all probability be extra of a precedence. If Arsenal can solely maintain one, they’re going to need Saliba, so do they see Calafiori because the long-term inheritor to Gabriel’s place? Whereas Massive Gabi will not be going wherever simply but, watch this house.
FourFourTwo verdict: Staying for now – forward of a possible saga in 2026…
Jakub Kiwior
Jakub Kiwior has been relied on in latest weeks (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 25 Capology : £58,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €22.00m
Jakub Kiwior’s future is the toughest to inform of any Arsenal participant.
The Pole would have absolutely been offered final summer time if the Gunners may have discovered a purchaser and saved Takehiro Tomiyasu match – however in remaining a member of the squad this season, Kiwior has been glorious cowl.
When your workforce seems to not miss a key defender towards Actual Madrid of all golf equipment, a query must be requested about whether or not it is actually value promoting the backup, particularly as he can play at left-back, too. That is the conundrum going through Arteta and Berta.
Arsenal will go into the window with the thought of addressing wants additional up the pitch earlier than wanting in defence. If Kiwior desires common minutes, although – and the Gunners obtain a good sufficient supply – a sale will occur, on the situation a alternative is available in.
FourFourTwo verdict: To be offered – whereas at his peak worth – although depending on different strikes, so in all probability one for late within the window.
Jurrien Timber
Jurrien Timber has been glorious for Arsenal (Picture credit score: Alamy)
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Age: 23 Capology : £90,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €50.00m
The revelation of the season for Arsenal, Timber has bounced again from an ACL damage to turn into an nearly ever-present within the Arsenal defence.
With such a workload comes a steadiness. Arteta will need to be certain White is on top of things to help Timber subsequent season a bit of extra, with the Dutchman capable of cowl throughout the remainder of the again 4, ought to White show himself undroppable.
Except for that, the query is extra about when Timber will signal a long-term extension at Arsenal to place him among the many membership’s larger earners, somewhat than whether or not Arteta will look to money in on his glorious season.
FourFourTwo verdict: Staying.
Kieran Tierney
Kieran Tierney has been a loyal servant on the Emirates Stadium (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 27 Capology : £110,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €10.00m
Kieran Tierney will likely be leaving Arsenal this summer time, having began only one league recreation all season, on the time of writing – however there is not any understating the position he is performed.
In an injury-ravaged season throughout the pitch for Arteta, the Scot has come again from his personal knocks and featured each at left-back and left-wing from the bench to protect drained legs, supply expertise and create probabilities with whipped balls: he isn’t complained, he isn’t angled for extra game-time and he stayed in January to supply an important service within the run-in.
Tierney has signed a pre-contract settlement to re-sign for Celtic , as per Sky Sports activities however he is confirmed his standing as a cult hero in North London this season. It is a disgrace that he isn’t been enjoying as a lot as when Arteta leant on him early in his tenure – however his place on this squad has been simply as necessary for a unique purpose this time period.
FourFourTwo verdict: Leaving for Celtic.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been mature past his years (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 18 Capology : £4,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €28.00m
After an excellent season, Myles Lewis-Skelly is more likely to be handed a brand new contract together with the elevated accountability of being a primary decide on the workforce sheet.
Nonetheless simply 18 years outdated, MLS might be heading for a future in midfield however has excelled at left-back: the query that is still with him now could be the place he performs, somewhat than whether or not he performs.
Lots of Lewis-Skelly’s future within the defence might rely upon Riccardo Calafiori. {The teenager} solely actually bought his shot at left-back when Calafiori first picked up an damage – and it is attainable that the Italian may win his house again – but when Lewis-Skelly continues to carry down this fort fairly so expertly, Arteta will not see a purpose to alter a successful components.
For now, Lewis-Skelly is a left-back – and the first-choice one, at that: although openings elsewhere imply that he may nicely transfer into midfield in time.
FourFourTwo verdict: Staying.
Nuno Tavares
Nuno Tavares is on mortgage at Lazio
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Age: 25 Capology : £60,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €25.00m
Nuno Tavares all the time felt like a teen that Arsenal merely took a punt on, somewhat than a future famous person destined for Arteta’s first workforce.
And so it is turned out as such, with the Basque boss transferring to inverted full-backs in 2022, rendering the Portuguese’s Arsenal profession in a limbo that is been occurring for 3 years and three separate mortgage spells, at Marseille , Nottingham Forest and now Lazio .
Now 25, Tavares has impressed Lazio sufficient that he’ll find yourself there this summer time barring an enormous change in circumstances, bringing in a minimal payment for the Gunners and shutting a chapter that feels prefer it ought to have ended a lot sooner.
participant – however sadly by no means the standard to have an effect on the Gunners’ first-team considering, long-term.
FourFourTwo verdict: Leaving, after a profitable mortgage spell with Lazio.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Oleksandr Zinchenko has discovered game-time laborious to come back by (Picture credit score: Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC by way of Getty Photographs)
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Age: 28 Capology : £150,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €22.00m
Oleksandr Zinchenko was key to Arteta’s system change when he signed in 2022 however the writing has been on the wall for some time now with each Lewis-Skelly and Calafiori forward of him within the pecking order, and Tierney picked forward of him at occasions this time period.
There is a case that Zinchenko won’t be trusted sufficient defensively at left-back anymore, with the Ukrainian’s most up-to-date appearances coming as a backup to Martin Odegaard: it is laborious to imagine that there is any form of future there past the top of the season, nevertheless.
Zinchenko has been servant to Arsenal however the time has absolutely come for a transfer with only a 12 months left on his contract – and that is one which Andrea Berta will likely be judged on: can he extract good worth from this participant, or will the 28-year-old see out his deal within the shadows earlier than leaving without spending a dime, like so many earlier than him?
Borussia Dortmund had been mentioned to be all in favour of January, nevertheless it stays to be seen who’ll are available for the star this time round.
FourFourTwo verdict: To be offered.
Riccardo Calafiori
Riccardo Calafiori has had damage points this season (Picture credit score: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC by way of Getty Photographs)
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Age: 22 Capology : £120,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €40.00m
It could be harsh to really say out loud however Riccardo Calafiori has had a disappointing season, all issues instructed.
Sure, he is needed to adapt to a brand new nation. Sure, he scored a corker towards Manchester Metropolis . And sure, it isn’t his fault that he is been hampered with damage issues whereas attempting to rise up to hurry with the Premier League.
However Arsenal will pray that he follows Timber’s lead (recovering for a storming second season) somewhat than Tomiyasu’s (struggling to remain match for swathes of his Arsenal profession). The accidents are a serious fear – and it could possibly be a season-defining choice this summer time to let Kiwior go, if Arsenal cannot depend on Calafiori.
As long as he can keep match, he’ll turn into a valued member of the aspect, whether or not he is beginning forward of Lewis-Skelly or enjoying a squad position: so let’s not write him off but.
FourFourTwo verdict: Staying.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Takehiro Tomiyasu has performed as soon as all season (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 26 Capology : £100,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €25.00m
Takehiro Tomiyasu has performed simply as soon as all season and will not be again in an Arsenal shirt till October on the earliest.
Largely worringly, the Japanese worldwide has by no means performed over 22 league video games in any of his three seasons previous to this marketing campaign: he merely cannot be relied on as a starter and together with his contract expiring subsequent summer time, it is not possible that he’ll earn a long-term extension to his deal proper now.
Fortunately, Tomiyasu’s versatility makes him the proper depth participant for subsequent season and past, if he can simply repair his knee points and be out there constantly. Do this throughout the 2025/26 run-in, and he might earn a short-term extension, which may save his Arsenal profession.
The main focus must be on the right here and now somewhat than wanting any additional than that, with the participant himself absolutely simply desirous to get again and luxuriate in his soccer.
FourFourTwo verdict: Staying.
William Saliba
William Saliba is one among Arsenal’s most valued stars (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 24 Capology : £190,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €80.00m
William Saliba is one among three gamers that Arsenal would absolutely supply a lifetime contract to if they might – the opposite two being Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.
The Frenchman has been exemplary since breaking into the workforce in 2022 and with Actual Madrid circling, Arsenal could have an enormous choice to make in some unspecified time in the future: this can be a £100m participant that the membership will not need to wave goodbye to on a free switch, like Liverpool will with Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Subsequent summer time appears like the important thing one for central defence – with Gabriel’s deal additionally up in 2027 – however for now, it appears unthinkable that Arsenal will money in on Saliba or Gabriel. Particularly after failing to win the title as soon as extra.
Count on rumours about contract extensions over the approaching months.
FourFourTwo verdict: Staying, with a possible switch saga subsequent summer time.
Midfielders Albert Sambi Lokonga
Albert Sambi Lokonga has had a torrid few years (Picture credit score: Sam Greenwood/Getty Photographs)
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Age: 25 Capology : £50,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €9.00m
Albert Sambi Lokonga slots into the identical class as Nuno Tavares: a calculated funding on a younger participant who may nicely have turn into the following huge factor – just for the participant to search out himself surplus to necessities and get shipped out on successive loans.
Lokonga’s story is a bit more complicated than Tavares’, really, with the Belgian a pure no.8 who was crowbarred into extra of a defensive midfield berth by Arteta to little impact – and with the midfield going through severe re-shaping this season, it opens the query as as to whether Lokonga may return and battle for a spot.
An optimist would definitely hope so, as at his finest, he is tailored for the left-sided centre-midfield spot – although that is not what actuality has instructed over latest seasons.
After fighting health as a lot as type since signing for Arsenal, Lokonga will nearly actually be flogged come the summer time after a season with Sevilla – to the Andalusians or in any other case.
FourFourTwo verdict: Leaving this summer time, a technique or one other.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice is vital to Arsenal (Picture credit score: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC by way of Getty Photographs)
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Age: 26 Capology : £240,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €110.00m
Declan Rice grew to become Arsenal’s document signing when he joined: the query round him is not a lot as as to whether he is staying however extra as to the place he performs.
The England man began his Gunners profession deepest within the midfield however has performed extra this season in a box-to-box position: the attainable arrival of Martin Zubimendi suggests he’ll be doing extra of the latter, although, going ahead.
Nonetheless, with a brand new ahead anticipated this summer time, too, there’s scope for Rice to sit down on the base of a midfield with Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard forward, as has been the sample at occasions beneath Arteta… and can Lewis-Skelly get a shot in midfield subsequent season in some unspecified time in the future, too?
Nonetheless the remainder of the XI is calibrated, Rice is a non-negotiable within the beginning line-up.
FourFourTwo verdict: Staying, because the fulcrum of this aspect.
Ethan Nwaneri
Ethan Nwaneri is extremely extremely rated (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 18 Capology : £6,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €55.00m
Arteta has been cautious to throw Ethan Nwaneri in on the deep finish. He opted for a system change of types when Martin Odegaard was injured earlier this season, and solely gave Nwaneri an prolonged run within the aspect as a alternative for Bukayo Saka, after the winger suffered a hamstring tear.
Nwaneri continues to be simply 18 and his improvement must be monitored – however with a brand new contract on the horizon and reinforcements to be made in assault, we should always see {the teenager} given the position subsequent season that his supervisor really supposed.
The starlet is Odegaard’s long-term deputy in midfield somewhat than a right-winger and can doubtless play there extra subsequent season: how typically he performs will rely upon his skill to grab the chance.
With Nwaneri within the ascendency and Odegaard struggling this time period, maybe a altering of the guard may occur before we think about. Watch this house.
FourFourTwo verdict: Staying.
Fabio Vieira
Fabio Vieira is at the moment out on mortgage with Porto (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 24 Capology : £45,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €22.00m
When Fabio Vieira was despatched on mortgage to Porto initially of the season, it signalled just a few issues: it was both an enormous vindication of Arteta’s belief in Ethan Nwaneri, a suggestion that Odegaard would don’t have any drawback enjoying the vast majority of minutes… or a bit of of each.
Equally, no purchase clause was inserted within the deal, suggesting that Arsenal wished to get the Portuguese on top of things and have him again within the fold for subsequent season. That could be wishful considering, nevertheless.
Whereas Arsenal may do with a bit of extra creativity, it is laborious to see Arteta welcoming Vieira again as a severe choice to compete with Nwaneri and Odegaard – and primarily based on earlier eventualities, the one likelihood that the Portuguese would have of sticking round subsequent season could be if he will get an damage between now and the switch window closing that stops him from getting a transfer.
With the membership coming into a brand new period with Andrea Berta, too, the brand new sporting director could also be much less forgiving than Edu Gaspar was in the case of deadwood. Arsenal will certainly look to maneuver Vieira on and recoup as a lot as they will after spending £35m on him.
FourFourTwo verdict: To be offered.
Jorginho
Arteta would like to maintain Jorginho (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 33 Capology : £110,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €8.00m
Jorginho signed a one-year extension final 12 months after changing into pivotal throughout the run-in – however now, a 12 months older, it has been Thomas Partey in midfield alongside Declan Rice as a substitute, this time period.
Arteta likes to have three no.6s to select from, maintaining Mohamed Elneny for a very long time as a fall-back possibility for expertise in his midfield – and the Basque would absolutely like to maintain Jorginho round for that position as soon as extra.
However with rumours circling in January that Brazilian golf equipment wished to tempt the previous Chelsea man again to the nation of his start, it seems that his time at Arsenal might be coming to a detailed.
Jorginho may nicely return in a training capability at some point – however for now, it appears as if the story ends right here.
FourFourTwo verdict: Leaving on a free.
Martin Odegaard
Martin Odegaard could possibly be set for some new competitors in midfield (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 26 Capology : £240,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €100.00m
That is an attention-grabbing one: a 12 months in the past, you’d have mentioned that Martin Odegaard was totally untouchable within the Arsenal workforce.
12 months later, after a season through which he is struggled, a ruthless eye might take a look at him as Arsenal’s Philippe Coutinho: a participant that the membership may transfer on for enormous cash earlier than reinvesting that into the lacking items which might be stopping Arteta from successful an enormous prize.
Feedback from Arteta that he places his captain “on a pedestal” indicate {that a} sale is totally out of the query – however circumstances might align subsequent season for Odegaard’s exit to look a bit of clearer in 2026. Zubimendi becoming a member of would relieve the Norwegian of build-up duties: Nwaneri is projected to achieve the highest, bear in mind, and will Andrea Berta look to lift capital, Arsenal could possibly be persuaded to promote their skipper as one of many extra expendable of their appreciable talismanic figures.
It isn’t a state of affairs that can doubtless play out throughout the coming weeks – and Ben White’s re-introduction towards Ipswich not too long ago actually confirmed Odegaard again to his finest – however do not be shocked if Arsenal’s reliance on their chief dwindles additional over time.
FourFourTwo verdict: Staying.
Max Dowman
Teenager Max Dowman is coaching with Arsenal’s senior professionals (Picture credit score: David Value/Arsenal FC by way of Getty Photographs)
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Age: 15
If Arsenal had been allowed, they might absolutely have handed Max Dowman a debut already.
The 2009-born star has already skipped too many age teams this season for him to be eligible for a Premier League look – however there may be actually scope for him to be included on the fringes of the Gunners squad subsequent season, simply as Nwaneri was earlier than him.
It is unlikely that Dowman will play greater than 10 minutes within the league right here or there, until one thing drastic occurs however an introduction is probably going – particularly within the cups.
Appearances on the bench within the league might turn into the norm for the star, too, who will not flip 16 till this December. Keep in mind the title (and settle for it as a purpose that Florian Wirtz will not be signing any time quickly).
FourFourTwo verdict: Being built-in subsequent season on the fringes of the first-team squad.
Mikel Merino
Mikel Merino has been glorious however for not one of the causes anticipated (Picture credit score: Alamy)
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Age: 28 Capology : £130,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €35.00m
A signing that some questioned initially of the season, Mikel Merino has greater than confirmed his value in a approach that nobody anticipated.
Arsenal will nearly actually signal a no.9 in the summertime, placing an finish to the Basque’s reign up entrance, which has proved surprisingly fruitful – and again, he’ll go, into midfield: he was almost definitely signed as each the Thomas Partey alternative a 12 months early (on the acceptance that the Ghanaian had failed to remain match previous to this season) and since there was no no.9 possibility that Arsenal desperately wished final summer time, with Havertz persevering with up entrance and Merino enjoying the midfield position supposed for Havertz.
As a rotational choice to play both as a substitute of Rice and subsequent to him, relying on who else performs the place, Merino is a strong squad presence – and will Zubimendi be a part of, Arsenal will likely be reuniting two former team-mates from Actual Sociedad , too, which can nicely have been the thought all alongside.
Do not rule out seeing Merino at centre-back in a disaster, both: he is fairly suited to the position as a lot as he’s a centre-forward.
FourFourTwo verdict: Staying.
Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey is out of contract this summer time (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 31 Capology : £200,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €15.00m
He is out of contract in June – however with The Athletic
But there are many the reason why Arsenal will not – and should not – maintain Partey round, regardless of his elevated significance to Arteta’s XI this season.
Arsenal’s watertight defence of final season has seemed nowhere close to as impenetrable with Partey instead of Jorginho, with lapses in focus costing the workforce dearly each in midfield and at right-back – and Arsenal have picked up simply 12 out of 27 league factors when Partey’s performed within the latter position. Sure, he is put in some good performances this season however previous to this time period, he is been utterly unreliable with health points marring his time on the membership: can Arsenal tie themselves to a different season or two of such wild and costly unpredictability?
Now 31 and one of many membership’s highest earners, it makes excellent sense to half with Partey, not least as a result of Zubimendi (if he joins) would supply a dynamic extra akin to the extra profitable double-pivot of Rice and Jorginho. Regardless of the latest talks, although, Arsenal will doubtless launch the midfielder on a free switch until he settles for a decreased deal… and it is laborious to think about that taking place proper now.
FourFourTwo verdict: Might go both approach proper now.
Attackers Bukayo Saka
Saka is Arsenal’s marquee star (Picture credit score: Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Photographs)
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Age: 23 Capology : £195,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €150.00m
Arsenal’s greatest precedence off the pitch is getting Bukayo Saka tied to an extended contract.
The Starboy might nicely turn into the membership’s greatest earner if he does, and he stays a very powerful participant each on the pitch and in the case of the membership’s picture.
The purpose for Saka over the approaching months is to recuperate from his hamstring surgical procedure and kick on to turn into the undisputed finest right-winger in world soccer : there might be a dialog available over time about whether or not he turns into a midfielder however for now, he is the primary title on the workforce sheet.
Arsenal would sooner promote all the squad than Saka, absolutely – and so would the followers. FourFourTwo understands a brand new deal is near completion.
FourFourTwo verdict: Staying.
Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus will miss a lot of subsequent season (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 28 Capology : £265,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €40.00m
Had Gabriel Jesus not suffered a devastating season-ending ACL damage in January, there would absolutely be purpose to recommend that he might be seeking to transfer on this summer time.
The Brazilian reworked Arsenal when he joined in 2022 however after constant setbacks, there is a concern that he might by no means be the identical participant ever once more: proper now, the main focus is on recovering and returning to some stage of consistency forward of what’s going to absolutely be one more huge star leaving on a free switch, come 2027.
However hey, this one may go well with Arsenal: Jesus continues to be the membership’s vice-captain, providing versatility in assault, expertise and a capability to get the most effective out of others that nobody else within the frontline can. Having this sort of high quality as a rotational, sixth-choice attacker is totally advantageous: he simply cannot be relied on past that.
The times of the Gunners’ medium-sized Gabi as a beginning no.9 are over – however the comfort is not so dangerous, assuming Arsenal strengthen this summer time.
FourFourTwo verdict: Staying.
Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli has improved of late (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 23 Capology : £180,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €55.00m
Gabriel Martinelli is in an analogous boat to Martin Odegaard: what they provide Arsenal can’t be measured purely in output, with Arteta adoring Little Gabi for his work-rate as a lot as his skill within the remaining third.
The no.11 has had season however is not untouchable on this aspect – and hasn’t been for some time. He is barely additional down the trail than Odegaard in that he isn’t been a sure-fire starter over the past two seasons… and due to that, Arsenal would absolutely take heed to presents upwards of £60m for a participant who counts as homegrown.
That is to not say he is on the market, although. Arsenal have far larger issues than Martinelli and the purpose for this summer time will likely be to signal somebody to compete with the Brazilian, somewhat than substitute him.
Martinelli was projected to be nearly as good as Saka once they each burst into the workforce – and although he isn’t fairly there but, he is nonetheless one of the higher left-wingers in world soccer and nonetheless solely 23: he might but step up a gear and turn into undroppable.
FourFourTwo verdict: Staying… until an enormous supply is available in.
Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz is at the moment out injured (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 25 Capology : £280,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €70.00m
What appeared like an opportunistic signing on the time, Kai Havertz has taken Arsenal to a different stage in huge video games, due to his skill to mix sides of being a goal man and a false 9 .
The German continues to be Arsenal’s highest earner and their first-choice striker however this season, it is turn into ever extra obvious that he wants supplementing with a extra pure goalscorer, whether or not that sees Havertz transfer into midfield, rotate with one other huge title or Martinelli is demoted to a backup.
That relies upon largely on who Arsenal signal. Within the unlikely occasion that it is Alexander Isak, Havertz will doubtless transfer to midfield once more, enjoying up entrance with Isak large in larger video games – although proper now, it appears extra doubtless {that a} determine of Viktor Gyokeres or Ollie Watkins indicators, to basically job-share with Havertz at no.9.
Havertz will nonetheless get loads of game-time, although we’ll doubtless see much less of him at centre-forward subsequent season, even when he is primarily the first-choice centre-forward.
FourFourTwo verdict: Staying.
Leandro Trossard
Leandro Trossard may go away Arsenal this summer time (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 30 Capology : £90,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €30.00m
With round 30 objectives in round 120 appearances throughout two-and-a-half seasons, it seems that Leandro Trossard’s time at Arsenal could possibly be wrapped up this summer time – and for beneath £30m, it has been an enormous success.
Trossard over-performed final season and has under-performed this, with Martinelli most well-liked out on the left and Merino most well-liked up entrance – the latter a nail within the Belgian’s Gunners profession, contemplating how he performed as a false 9 for Arteta when he first signed in January 2023.
Now 30 and on a wage that might simply be bettered by a few of Europe’s giants, Trossard is a first-rate candidate to be offered this summer time, with Arteta needing three issues in assault: transitional menace, creativity and dominance within the remaining third.
Trossard does not clear up any of that, sadly. Arsenal have advanced past him and look to be upgrading with two new forwards.
FourFourTwo verdict: To be offered.
Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling has dissatisfied at Arsenal (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
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Age: 30 Capology : £110,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €15.00m
It is laborious to quantify the affect that Raheem Sterling has really had on Arsenal – as a result of on the one hand, having a presence of that have and standing within the English recreation has been unimaginable for the kids who’ve burst into this workforce.
Then again, Sterling wished to re-establish himself as an England common and return to his finest whereas in N5 – and has ended up leapfrogged within the pecking order by an adolescent and a defensive midfielder in Arteta’s three-man assault.
Chelsea have coated the wages this season however absolutely will not once more, and with Arteta already having Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines as his sixth-choice attacker for depth, there’s absolutely no place anymore for Sterling.
Sadly, it is simply not labored out for the England man: he was a possibility that hasn’t paid off and it might be intriguing to know whether or not Arteta would have caught with Reiss Nelson, in any case, had been he to make his alternative once more.
FourFourTwo verdict: Arsenal will not make this mortgage everlasting.
Reiss Nelson
Reiss Nelson has spent the season with Fulham (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
INFO
Age: 25 Capology : £100,000-a-week Transfermarkt : €18.00m
Sure, Reiss Nelson continues to be an Arsenal participant (simply).
The winger was on the verge of an exit in 2023 when he fired that well-known last-minute winner towards Bournemouth – however Arteta simply could not quit on a person who he’d backed his complete tenure to come back good. Certainly, the time has come now.
Nelson has spent a lot of the season injured whereas on mortgage at Fulham and will likely be seeking to get his profession kick-started once more at a pivotal age through which he’ll be hoping to make good on the potential he confirmed as a wonderkid.
He’ll need to play: Arsenal will not significantly need to maintain paying his wages. A transfer is in the most effective pursuits of all events, a technique or one other.
FourFourTwo verdict: To be offered, loaned out, or to be launched.
The 2025/26 Arsenal squad
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The 2025/26 Arsenal squad
Row 0 – Cell 0
First-choice
Backup
Depth
GK
Raya
New signing
New signing
RB
Timber
White
Tomiyasu
RCB
Saliba
Tomiyasu
Timber
LCB
Gabriel
New signing
Calafiori
LB
Lewis-Skelly
Calafiori
Timber
RCM
Odegaard
Nwaneri
Havertz
DM
New signing
Rice
Merino
LCM
Rice
Merino
Lewis-Skelly
RW
Saka
Jesus
Nwaneri
ST
Havertz
New signing
Merino
LW
Martinelli
New signing
Dowman
At most this summer time, Arsenal look to be dropping Tierney, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Partey, Tavares, Lokonga, Trossard and Nelson, together with loanees Neto and Sterling: it isn’t precisely going to herald some huge cash.
Arsenal have opted to not spend huge throughout the final two home windows and will manage to pay for for 4 first-team additions, plus two back-up keepers. A brand new striker is clearly the most important precedence, with Martin Zubimendi wanting like a executed deal , already.
These two gamers alone, nevertheless, may wipe out as a lot as £130m from the finances alone: so Arsenal should look to be good with a few of the gamers they convey on this summer time. Dean Huijsen has a launch clause of round £50m, however can the Gunners even afford that once they have urgent points larger up the pitch? Likewise, Nico Williams and Viktor Gyokeres might signify worth for cash at comparable costs… however would both participant have the transformative impact that this workforce wants in assault?
This time final 12 months, few predicted the marquee signing could be one other left-back – and the 12 months earlier than that, Jurrien Timber was a shock addition when Ben White was thriving. Do not be shocked if there are twists and turns within the window but, because the Gunners look to evolve this squad somewhat than choosing an overhaul.
