Arsenal still have one more fixture left of the 2022/23 campaign, but in truth, the season is effectively already over.
The Gunners, who welcome Wolves to the Emirates Stadium this coming Sunday, know they can no longer win the Premier League title following defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest. But they can perhaps take comfort from the fact a top-two finish was guaranteed a number of weeks ago.
As a result, as soon as the whistle blows to bring the season to a close, attention will immediately turn to the summer transfer window as Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu Gaspar have a lot of work to do to get Arsenal ready for to challenge again next year as well as going deep in the Champions League.
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In terms of potential incomings, football.london understands Declan Rice is the club's priority signing as Arteta looks to bolster his midfield options whilst Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo continues to be linked as does Manchester City right-back Joao Cancelo.
How many deals the north London outfit end up getting over the line remains to be seen, but it's almost a guarantee that when next season gets underway in August, the first-team squad as it stands right now will look a lot different.
For example, football.london understands Granit Xhaka is in advanced talks over a £13million move to Bayer Leverkusen, whilst Kieran Tierney and several members of this season's loan army such as Folarin Balogun and Nicolas Pepe could be on the move, not to mention talented youngster Charlie Patino.
One player whose exit is imminent is Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The versatile midfielder has suffered the agony of relegation with Southampton this season but revealed last month that he is to leave Arsenal on a permanent basis when his contract expires at the end of June as the option to extend his stay by a further year hasn't been activated.
"It's been a great journey but it has come to an end now (at Arsenal)," he told The Athletic. "It's time for a fresh start and to find a new home. I'm looking forward to that but, at the same time, my head’s not quite there yet and it’s all about what’s happening now with Southampton.
"When the time gets closer towards the end of the season, I'll have something else to think about. But right now, I’m just focused on football and the task at hand. Southampton is a great club to be at and progress and get some minutes under my belt. Of course, if they were to make an offer, I’ll be more than happy to stay."
Interestingly, the other senior Arsenal player out of contract next month is Reiss Nelson. As reported by football.london, the winger has already rejected two offers for an extension, but recent reports claim a third offer has been presented to the Hale End graduate and the ball is very much in his court.
Whatever the case is, the whole situation will soon become clear. In fact, if last year is any indication and judging by Arsenal.com, an announcement of the players being released - whether that be the men's, women's first-team, as well as Under-23s and Under-18s players, will come in early June.
It was just under a year ago when the club confirmed Alexandre Lacazette was to leave on a free transfer along with academy trio Jonathan Dinzeyi, Joel Lopez and Jordan McEneff but it was communicated that Eddie Nketiah had been offered a new contract and that discussions were ongoing.
Expect similar for Nelson and Maitland-Niles within the next few weeks as the latter's exit could be made official whilst there should be clarification with regard to the former as he will either be heading off too or following in the footsteps of Nketiah by committing his future to the club.
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