Arsenal host Everton in their final game of the 2021/22 Premier League season on Sunday, and it may turn out to be an Emirates Stadium farewell for several first-team players.
It's been an interesting campaign for the Gunners, to say the least. In terms of permanent player departures, David Luiz, Joe Willock and Willian departed last summer before Sead Kolasinac, Calum Chambers, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang followed suit in the January transfer window.
And with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta already dropping a major hint regarding another busy summer of transfer activity in order to ensure the club are challenging for Champions League places again next season, it's likely there will be further first-team players leaving in order to freshen up the squad.
READ MORE: Arsenal predicted XI vs Everton as Smith Rowe and Gabriel decisions made for injury-hit Gunners
From those out of contract at the end of next month to those likely to seek pastures new in the summer, there are at least five Arsenal players who could make their final appearance for the club against Everton or bid a farewell during the end of season lap of appreciation.
Three of which are Alexandre Lacazette - who took over as club captain following Aubameyang's exile - Eddie Nketiah, and Mohamed Elneny. The trio have entered the final five weeks of their contracts with the Gunners and it remains to be seen who - if any - is still at the club come July 1.
It's looking increasingly like the Frenchman won't be extending his stay in north London with a return to former club Lyon being touted by president Jean-Michel Aulas as well as Director of Football Vincent Ponsot in the past week with the Ligue 1 side willing to "make compromises" for the 30-year-old.
As previously reported by football.london, Arsenal have been optimistic that Nketiah will sign a new contract despite the striker rejecting several offers already. It's no secret that the 22-year-old wants consistent game time next season, and if a new centre-forward arrives at the Emirates Stadium this summer, then he has a big decision to make.
Of the aforementioned trio, Elneny appears closest to staying. As per the Athletic, talks over a fresh deal that would extend the midfielder's six-year stay at the club are set to begin, and he's already revealed he would be happy to sign a new contract even if his game time is limited.
"Of course," he told The Independent last month. "I always love a challenge and give 100 per cent all the time. I don't decide who plays, but I keep going in training to show how good I am and to make him play me. If I don't play, I keep going until I get my chance. If Arsenal says 'we want you', I don't think about leaving. It's been my family for six years. I love this club."
Although should a u-turn from either party occur, then Elneny could be saying his goodbyes on Sunday along with Bernd Leno and Nicolas Pepe, who have been bit-part players under Arteta for much of the season due to the form of Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka respectively.
Leno is likely to depart this summer with Bundesliga clubs as well as fellow Premier League side Newcastle United said to be holding a strong interest in the 30-year-old whilst football.london understands that the Ivory Coast international wants to leave and has instructed his agent to find him a new club.
