Several high profile Arsenal players have been linked with exits from the club which could spark considerable regret down the line
Arsenal are looking to make big moves in this summer’s transfer window with several key targets already under discussion. Sporting director Andrea Berta is leading the club’s strategy and hoping to equip manager Mikel Arteta with the weapons which will strengthen the Arsenal sufficiently to defend their Premier League title.
However, beyond the potential for incomings, there is an expectation about who could yet leave Arsenal. There are many on the list, several of whom it would be no surprise to see depart during the course of the window.
However, this is a key moment in the Arteta project. Now Premier League champions, the next steps for the squad are about not getting to the destination, but instead staying there, and often that can make for even more ruthless squad management than during the lead-up.
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Some players listed on the potential outgoing column could therefore be ones that the club end up regretting. The top of the list would be 19-year-old Ethan Nwaneri.
The youngster spent half of last season on loan with Marseille. However, his amount of minutes, which led to the decision to move, did not necessarily increase too greatly in Ligue 1.
Not helped by the departure of Roberto De Zerbi, Nwaneri now faces a big summer where a decision on his longer-term future could be made. Regardless of where Nwaneri goes, it is clear the talent that the attacking midfielder possesses.
Particularly when it comes to his finishing, Nwaneri has scored some crackers for Arsenal, most notably his strike against Manchester City in the 5-1 win at the Emirates Stadium. While a big fee could be sought, there’s little doubt that, given the time and exposure, a special player exists in Nwaneri.
At the other end of the spectrum is Leandro Trossard. The Belgian became the starting left winger under Mikel Arteta, and despite some dips in form, Trossard has always been a player for the big moments.
He has consistently scored in big games or provided crucial moments of creativity. With one year left on his current deal, any transfer is not likely to draw a serious fee despite his obvious quality, further lessened by his age, 31.
However, the question remains whether any realistic fee would offset the benefit of keeping Trossard? Realistically, is the club, even if they add a couple of other options, going to be better off with a fee likely around £15million?
Probably not. It might therefore make sense to have the player who scored that massive goal at West Ham, widely seen as the goal that won the title for the Gunners, complete his final year before moving on as a club legend in many eyes.
Lastly, Martin Odegaard. The man who lifted the Premier League trophy for the first time in 22 years as an Arsenal captain.
There remain some unknowns regarding the skipper’s future, with contract renewal talks not believed to have opened as of the end of last season. Were Arsenal to receive a serious and substantial bid for Odegaard, there is potential that a deal could be struck, however unlikely it seems at this moment.
For obvious reasons, this could be a move Arsenal do regret. As discussed previously, despite some scrutiny, what the Norwegian has offered the club over his tenure has been obvious.
Creativity that is unique to him, and where his absence is felt more than almost anyone else in the group. If Odegaard was to leave, it would need an almighty signing to replace what is lost in a summer which is hoped to be more about adding and upgrading.
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