As Arsenal continues to push for their first league title since 2004, the team has begun to evaluate their options for the upcoming summer transfer window. With a number of players potentially leaving and areas in need of improvement, the team’s focus has shifted towards bringing in new talent while also offloading some of their current squad members.
Arsenal’s Season So Far
Before looking ahead towards potential summer targets, it’s important to assess Arsenal’s current situation. The team currently sits eight points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, and they’re in a great position to end their title drought.
However, despite their strong performance this season, there is still room for improvement in certain areas. While some players have performed exceptionally well, others have struggled to make an impact on the team.
Players Who Should Leave
In order to raise valuable transfer funds for Mikel Arteta, Arsenal should consider selling several players who have been loaned out this season. These include Nicolas Pepe, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Cedric Soares, Nuno Tavares, Alex Runarsson, Pablo Mari, and Albert Sambi Lokonga.
There are also a few other players who could be sold if the right offer comes along. Kieran Tierney could stay with the team but may be sold if an attractive bid is made. Reiss Nelson has struggled for playing time and would likely benefit from a move elsewhere.
Potential Summer Targets
Arsenal is reportedly interested in signing West Ham’s Declan Rice. The English midfielder could be a significant upgrade over Granit Xhaka in central midfield and would offer Arteta greater tactical flexibility.
Another potential target is Folarin Balogun. The young striker has been impressive for the club’s youth teams and could provide additional attacking depth. Additionally, Timothy Castagne from Leicester City could be a useful addition as a specialist attacking right-back.
Nicolas Pepe’s Future
Nicolas Pepe’s future is up in the air following his loan spell at Nice. The Ivorian winger has made 17 Ligue 1 appearances for the French side and has recently returned from a knee injury.
Pepe was quick to praise his teammates at Nice and stated that he wanted to focus on finishing the season on a high note. However, he has also expressed uncertainty about his future at Arsenal.
The club’s record signing arrived from Lille in 2019 for a fee of £72 million. While he has shown glimpses of his talent at Arsenal, he has struggled for consistency and has failed to justify his hefty price tag.
Despite this, Pepe believes that he could have been an important player for Arsenal’s title-chasing campaign this season. It remains to be seen whether he will be given another chance to prove himself or if he will be sold to raise funds for new signings.
Tying Down William Saliba
Finally, Mikel Arteta has tasked Edu with tying down William Saliba to a new contract. The young defender has been impressive this season, appearing in 33 games and solidifying Arsenal’s backline.
However, with his contract set to expire in July 2024, there is some urgency to secure his long-term future at the club. Paris Saint-Germain is reportedly interested in Saliba and could make a bid for him if he becomes available.
Arsenal officials are confident that they will be able to extend Saliba’s contract before the end of the season. Failure to do so could result in him being pursued by other teams with megamoney offers.
All in all, Arsenal is looking towards a busy summer transfer window as they aim to build on their success this season. By offloading some of their current squad members and bringing in new talent, the team could be in a stronger position to challenge for trophies in the years to come.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
