Mikel Arteta has already confirmed that this summer is going to be a busy one for Arsenal. The Gunners finished just two points off the Champions League places last season and are keen to bridge the gap this time around. When asked what the club were planning to do to make that happen Arteta was clear.
"We want to take the club to the next level," the Spaniard said in his press conference ahead of the final game of the season against Everton. "That's the ambition. In order to do that we have a very clear plan again, how we want to do it and execute it, and there are no secrets. We need resources and we need to increase the quality and the depth of the squad."
In order to do that they are looking at bringing in several players. Matt Turner's arrival from New England Revolution is imminent, but a striker is top of the agenda, with Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus thought to be the main target. Youri Tielemans has also been linked at central midfield, while full back Aaron Hickey is another whose name has been mentioned. While getting players into the club is going to be huge for Arsenal this summer, moving on others could also be key.
READ MORE: Ainsley Maitland-Niles attracting interest from Nottingham Forest amid Arsenal transfer decision
Historically selling well has not been a strong point for the Gunners. 10 players left the Emirates last summer, but the only one that Edu was able to obtain a significant fee for was Joe Willock. This is something they will look to address in the coming months.
Alexandre Lacazette has already left the club on a free transfer, while Matteo Guendouzi will make his loan move to Marseille permanent very soon. The exits are not expected to stop there though. Here football.london takes a look at five more players who could be on their way out of the Emirates this summer.
Bernd Leno:
With Matt Turner on his way in at the end of this month, the writing is seemingly on the wall for Bernd Leno's Arsenal career. The German impressed during his first couple of seasons at the Emirates, but found himself knocked down the pecking order when Aaron Ramsdale came in last summer, making just eight appearances last campaign.
The German international is looking for an exit and reports have suggested that Fulham are currently holding talks to sign him. Leno is keen on getting first team football in order to get himself in contention for the upcoming World Cup squad and will therefore be keen to get a move over the line this summer, and with just one year on his deal Arsenal are open to a sale.
Reports have suggested that the Gunners are demanding around £8.5 million for the 30-year-old this summer. This may seem low, but considering his contract situation and the fact that Arsenal have already signed his replacement, Edu's hand at the negotiation table is considerably weakened.
Pablo Mari:
Despite being Mikel Arteta's first signing at Arsenal, Pablo Mari has found it hard to ever really establish himself. Brought in to be the left footed centre-back that Arteta craved, his Gunners career was put on hold by the COVID pandemic and a long-term ankle injury straight after project restart. In his absence the impressive form of Gabriel after his signing from Lille meant that he began to slide down the pecking order.
Despite being an important player at points last season and starting several important games such as both legs of the Europa League semi final against Villarreal, he found game time hard to come by yet again this season, and made just three appearances before joining Udinese on loan. He impressed in Italy to the extent that the Serie A side's technical director Pierpaolo Marino publicly expressed a desire to sign him.
However, since then I Bianconeri have changed managers and it is not clear whether new coach Andrea Sottil wants to bring the Spanish defender back to the Stadio Friuli. Mari has expressed a desire to go back to Italy next season though, and it seems that with William Saliba's return to Arsenal a permanent exit could be on the cards for the former Flamengo man.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles:
Hale Ender Ainsley Maitland-Niles could also go this summer. The England international's loan with Roma will not be made permanent despite his Europa Conference League success. He has just one year left on his contract meaning this will likely be Arsenal's chance to secure any sort of fee for him.
football.london understands that Nottingham Forest have enquired about signing the 24-year-old. The newly promoted Premier League side are looking for a possible alternative to Djed Spence who it appears they will not be able to sign on a permanent basis amid interest from Tottenham and several other sides.
Maitland-Niles is thought to be keen on an exit though having repeatedly expressed a desire to go and play regular football. His sizeable wage packet could impact the size of any transfer fee, but he is likely to have no shortage of admirers this summer.
Lucas Torreira:
After initially leaving two years ago now, Lucas Torreira is still an Arsenal player. It was thought that the Uruguayan would be making his loan move to Fiorentina permanent this summer after an impressive season there, but the Italian side are now reportedly hesitant over a fee.
Torreira was told that he is not a part of Arteta's plans last summer, and with Mohamed Elneny having signed a contract extension and reports linking the Gunners to Youri Tielemans, it's hard to see that changing. For his part the player has stated that he would like to get some consistency of environment at this stage of his career.
"My idea is to stay at Fiorentina and if that doesn't happen then look for a team I can enjoy continuity," he told Uruguayan press after their match with Panama on Saturday. "At the moment I don't really know anything, I want to rest, disconnect a little bit because it's been a very competitive season and in time I will sit down with my representatives and look for the best options."
Nicolas Pepe:
It just hasn't worked out for Nicolas Pepe since his £72 million arrival from Lille in 2019, and after three years he is set to leave this summer. Reports have emerged suggesting that Arsenal are interested in signing Raphinha, which would surely spell the end for the winger's time in North London.
The Ivorian failed to start a game for Arsenal in 2022 and seems to no longer be a part of Mikel Arteta's plans. The 27-year-old has changed his agent in order to try and facilitate a move this summer and is keen to go somewhere where he has more of a chance of getting minutes on the pitch again.
He has two years on his contract, but his high wages and the relative lack of finances on the continent could make securing a high fee difficult. The Gunners will surely be willing to listen to offers now though while the possibility of recouping a transfer closer to Pepe's market value is relatively more possible.
