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5 players who need to leave Arsenal this summer

By on June 20, 2024

Oleksander Zinchenko Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is expected to continue reshaping his squad this summer as he looks to finally bring the title back to the Emirates Stadium in 2024/25.

We’ve pushed Manchester City close in each of the last two seasons but have fallen just short of wrestling the title away from Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut. Arsenal have a hugely talented young team, but it’s clear Arteta needs to add more depth and bring in a couple more marquee names if we’re to become a dominant force again.

Most Arsenal fans feel we need a top class striker who can make a difference in tight games. Another central midfielder is also needed to compliment Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. We need another pacey winger to support Bukayo Saka, while a new left-back could also be on the cards with Oleksandr Zinchenko falling out-of-favour.

However, in order for Arteta to be able to afford all these new signings, we’ll need to offload some of our fringe players to bring in some much-needed funds and make room for new additions. Here are five players that should be sold this summer:

1. Eddie Nketiah

Nketiah has been at Arsenal since he was 16 and came through the youth ranks. There were high hopes for him once he broke into the first team and he showed early signs of promise. The striker netted nine times in 39 appearances in all competitions in 2022/23 and was given a run in the first team early last season when Gabriel Jesus was injured.  He scored twice in the opening three games but had to wait until late October to find the net again when he scored a wonderful hat-trick against Sheffield United.

However, Nketiah failed to build on that treble and didn’t score in the league again for the rest of the season. He lost his place to Kai Havertz and only played 4 minutes as a substitute during Arsenal’s last eight Premier League games. It’s clear Arteta no longer trusts him and a move is expected this summer. Arsenal desperately need a top class hitman so we should cash-in on Nketiah to raise some money. Supporters with Crystal Palace tickets have been calling on their club to formalise their interest, and we might be able to get over £30m. As an academy graduate, the money would be banked as pure profit on the balance sheet, too. At 25, Nketiah needs to be playing regularly so it’s time to part ways.

2. Reiss Nelson

Another academy graduate who was once regarded as a future star, things haven’t worked out for Nelson in the last few years. After spells out on loan, the 24-year-old has played as a back-up for Saka the last two years but he’s not at the required level we need. Nelson failed to score or provide an assist in 15 league appearances last season. His solitary goal came in the EFL Cup against Brentford, while he picked up two assists in the Champions League.

He certainly works hard and has talent, but Nelson just isn’t good enough for Arsenal. We need a winger who can compete with Saka and make a difference when he’s given the chance. If we can get £15m for Nelson this summer, that would be good business.

3. Oleksandr Zinchenko

Last season was a strange one for Zinchenko. He was an instant hit at Arsenal after joining from Man City and was a vital player in the 2022/23 season. He was the focal point of Arsenal’s play and arguably one of our most important players. However, as much as he offers when in possession, the Ukrainian has always been suspect defensively and it appears Arteta’s patience ran out last season.

Zinchenko was still a regular during the first half of last season, but he was sidelined by a calf problem in February and never regained his place when he returned to fitness. Jacub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu were preferred ahead of him, as the pair offered more defensive solidity compared to Zinchenko. Arsenal looked more balanced with Kiwior or Tomi at left-back, and Jorginho or Partey in midfield dictating play. Rather than Zinchenko drifting inside leaving a huge hole at left-back for opposition teams to exploit.

Zinchenko didn’t start any of our final six games as we challenged for the title, which tells you all you need to know. It’s a shame, as he’s a likeable player and a good leader in the dressing room, but we need a permanent upgrade at left-back and we should still be able to get at least £35m for Zinny this summer.

4. Fabio Vieira

After arriving from Porto in a £34m deal in 2022, Vieira has been a huge disappointment. The Portuguese tore it up at Porto and was a hugely exciting signing when he arrived in North London, but things just haven’t work out. The 24-year-old has struggled to adapt to the rigors of playing in the Premier League and has been plagued by injury problems.

After providing just 2 goals and 6 assists in his 33 appearances in 2022/23, Vieira supplied just 1 goal and 2 assists in 16 appearances last season. Injuries didn’t help as he was out for months with a groin injury, but even when he returned to fitness in late February he barely got a sniff. Arteta brought him on twice for a total of 9 minutes during the last 11 league games, so it’s clear he doesn’t see Vieira as a player who can make a positive impact right now. He started just two games in all competitions last season and I struggle to see him having a long term future at the club.

He clearly has ability, and is good on the ball, but Vieira hasn’t shown anything to suggest he’s good enough to make it at Arsenal. Therefore, we should cut our losses and sell this summer. If we could get £20m, that would be decent business.

5. Albert Lokonga

Lokonga arrived from Anderlecht in 2021 with a reputation as one of the most promising young midfielders to come out of Belgium in years. He showed early signs of promise, but soon fell out of favour as it was clear he wasn’t ready for the first team. He spent time out on loan at Crystal Palace before joining Luton Town on loan last summer.

The 24-year-old was ruled out for three months with a hamstring injury but when he returned in December, he soon became a vital first team player. Lokonga put in some hugely impressive performances for Luton during the second half of last season, leading to some calls for him to be integrated back into the Arsenal squad for next year. However, I still don’t think he’ll be good enough to push for a first team place at Arsenal so this summer is a good time to cash-in while his stock is high. We can use the money to bring in a top class DM.