Arsenal will have lots to deal with when the summer transfer window opens. Upgrading Mikel Arteta's team for their return to the Champions League is the biggest priority at London Colney.
The Gunners will want to make sure they build on this season's superb performance with a number of players on sporting director's Edu Gaspar's shortlist.
Yet despite their aims of upgrading Arteta's squad for next campaign, the club will be forced into making some "tough decisions" at the end of the season with a number of players facing uncertain futures at the Emirates Stadium.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta sends Stan Kroenke clear $144m Arsenal transfer task with Newcastle warning
The players who have spent this season away from north London on a temporary basis will come back at a crossroads. Players such as Folarin Balogun and Nuno Tavares will be seeking to break into Arteta's side while the likes of Nicolas Pepe and Auston Trusty face leaving the club for good.
Trusty enjoyed a successful first season in England on loan at Birmingham City in the Championship. After making 48 appearances, the USMNT defender won the clubs' Player of the Season award and has been linked with a return to the second city.
First-team minutes look almost impossible to fall to Trusty at Arsenal and the 24-year-old has been linked with a permanent move away in the summer. Birmingham boss John Eustace has already declared his desire to sign him permanently while Scottish Premier League side Rangers are also eyeing him.
According to the Daily Mail, the Gers hope to bring the central defender to Ibrox for £2 million as their replacement for either Filip Helander or Ben Davies. A move to Rangers will hand Trusty the opportunity to play in the Champions League next season.
A key to any potential move for Trusty is Stan Kroenke. The Gunners owner - who owns Trusty's former side Colorado Rapids - played a big part in bringing him to England in the first place, with the defender hinting there was a business element in the transfer.
“I just put every other team to one side and focused on them,” Trusty said. “I’m sure it definitely helped that the Kroenke’s were there. If there is that relationship there you definitely want to take advantage it, if that makes things smoother.
“It’s a business deal, so there is a lot of friction that goes on. If you can limit the amount of friction, then why not." Where Trusty heads next could well be a decision made after a chat with the Kroenkes.
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