- 23 hours ago
Five Arsenal players who could leave this summer
Arsenal could be set for a massive summer to build on the back of another strong Premier League finish.
The Gunners are still set to fight it out with Manchester City for the Premier League title but they have at least guaranteed a return to the Champions League next season.
With Arsenal back among the title contenders and with money to spend, FootballTransfers takes a look at which players could be heading for the Emirates exit ahead of, what will likely be, a busy summer for Mikel Arteta.
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Kieran Tierney
Part of Arteta’s decision-making process this summer will be determining which players can be sold for significant fees in order to ensure Arsenal can afford their top transfer targets such as Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes.
One of the Gunners' most valuable yet arguably dispensable assets is Kieran Tierney, who could look to leave the club after losing his spot to Oleksandr Zinchenko last term and then shipping out on loan to Real Sociedad.
The Scot, however, has struggled to make the first XI of the La Liga outfit, meaning it's unlikely that he will be making a return to the Emirates to fight for a regular starting spot.
Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey's future remains a topic of discussion. There have been sounds that the former Atletico Madrid player would like a move away in search of guaranteed game-time, with clubs in Saudi Arabia and even Juventus linked as far back as last year.
It is thought that he informed his manager of his intent to leave but ultimately it's Arsenal who decide who should be allowed to depart.
Emile Smith Rowe
It is perhaps testament to the progression of Arteta’s side that Emile Smith Rowe, once touted as one of the finest players to ever come out of Arsenal’s academy, is now facing an uncertain future at the club.
Smith Rowe has struggled with securing a sport under Arteta, and his fitness concerns have seen him fall down the pecking order at the Emirates.
The attacker has two years left on his contract but could be sold on for a reasonable fee, with Aston Villa long-term admirers of the midfielder.
Charlie Patino
Another academy graduate who was once considered the future of the club is Charlie Patino and, despite drawing comparisons to former Arsenal favourite Santi Cazorla, the 20-year-old may be sold this summer.
Patino was on loan at Blackpool last season but failed to stop the club being relegated from the Championship, having initially impressed early in his spell. This term he was playing in England's second division once more, this time with Swansea City.
While Arsenal have the option to extend Patino’s contract until 2025, the youngster has accepted he may not ever break into the first team and will likely look to move on permanently this summer.
Nuno Tavares
Tierney’s departure could see Arsenal in the market for a new left-back despite having Nuno Tavares on loan at Nottingham Forest this season and set for a return next month.
The 24-year-old was not chosen by Arteta as the Spaniard was not impressed by Tavares’ professionalism during his time at Arsenal.
While Arsenal may not want to lose two backup left-backs in one summer, Tavares may be cashed in, with Forest able to activate an option to buy the defender at the end of the season.