5 Players Arsenal should sell ahead of the 2023-24 Premier League Season
A promising start but a turbulent ending as Arsenal’s 2022-23 season went crashing into the ground despite spending a whopping 248 days on top of the Premier League table but the Gunners still failed to win the title.
Mikel Arteta’s team, which was once eight points ahead of Manchester City, ended their campaign 5 points behind Pep Guardiola’s side. During the first half of the season, Arsenal only dropped seven points, but in the second half, they lost 23 points due to injuries and the inexperience of the players in crunch situations.
However, despite a bitter ending, the side saw lots of positives in the season and the biggest one is securing a UEFA Champions League spot. What makes this even more impressive is the fact that Arteta achieved this with the second-youngest squad in the league.
The management would be aware that they need a few experienced heads in the squad to have another shot at the league title. The Gunners are considering player departures to generate funds and strengthen their team for the upcoming campaign.
Here’s a look at five players who could be sold by Arsenal to boost their transfer window:
#5 Folarin Balogun
Arsenal’s decision regarding Folarin Balogun is one of the biggest dilemmas they face this summer. The forward had an impressive outing during his loan spell at Reims. However, with stiff competition from Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus, Balogun may prefer a move to a club where he is likely to get more game time.
AC Milan is reportedly among the clubs pursuing his signature and with few big names on Arteta’s radar, the Arsenal would be tempted to sell the youngster to earn a healthy fee.
#4 Nicolas Pepe
Pepe is currently on loan at Nice
Another player likely to make a permanent exit is Nicolas Pepe. Currently on loan at Nice in France, Pepe’s minutes at Arsenal have been limited due to injuries. His recent comments suggest he is open to leaving the club, and the arrival of Leandro Trossard further reduces his prospects.
Although Arsenal is unlikely to recover a significant portion of the £72 million they spent on acquiring the winger nearly four years ago, Arsenal will be happy if they manage to get £15-£30 million.
#3 Nuno Tavares
Nuno Tavares was signed as a backup option for Kieran Tierney. However, the defender has struggled to make a significant impact at Arsenal. After a difficult debut season, and the reports of Mikel Arteta’s frustration over the player’s behaviour, the Portuguese defender was loaned out to Marseille.
While Tavares had a decent start at Ligue 1, scoring three goals in his opening four appearances, his behavioral issues once again hogged the spotlight and the player was banished from a training session in April for displaying a poor attitude.
Tavares, who still has two years left with Arsenal, could be sold this summer and reinvest the funds elsewhere. The player is unlikely to get game time, considering Arteta has Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney, who are ahead of the Portuguese in the pecking order.
#2 Rob Holding
Rob Holding moved to Arsenal from Bolton Wanderers in 2016
Despite being a regular member of Arsenal’s squad for the past seven years, Rob Holding‘s performances in the backline have been underwhelming. With his current contract expiring in 2024, Holding is likely to be one of the potential departures with the Gunners looking to bring in back-up and competition at centre-back.
Holding couldn’t make much of an impact for Arsenal, especially after William Saliba’s injury. With Jakub Kiwior becoming Arteta’s preferred choice in the back four, it seems Holding’s opportunities on the pitch will only decrease next season.
#1 Kieran Tierney
Once a regular starter, Kieran Tierney has often found himself making cameo appearances from the bench. He has played the role of an inverted wing-back which hasn’t fully utilised his strengths. Recent reports have claimed that Tierney, who joined the Gunner from Celtic for a transfer fee of €27 million, has informed Arteta that he wants to leave.
Newcastle United has turned out to be Kieran Tierney’s potential destination this summer and with Oleksandr Zinchenko in his squad, Arteta might not be too concerned about Tierney’s departure.