Five players who could still leave Arsenal this summer

10 Aug 2022 12:04 BST
3 min read

Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Arsenal, 2021/22 — © ProShots

Arsenal have been one of the busiest teams in the 2022 summer transfer market, making a number of high-profile acquisitions to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad.

While the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Viera and Oleksandr Zinchenko have completed deals to join the club, these moves have not necessarily been offset by players departing.

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Although Arsenal have sold Matteo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira and Konstantinos Mavropanos, all three were away on loan deals last season.

Who could yet leave the club before the end of this window?

Alex Runarsson

The Iceland international goalkeeper was a surprise addition from Dijon in the summer of 2020 but has never looked suitable, even as a replacement option. Arsenal have added Matt Turner to their ranks to be Aaron Ramsdale’s No.2, and should a suitable offer come in for the 27-year-old, it would suit everyone that it was accepted.

Pablo Mari

Spent last season on loan at Udinese and will leave Arsenal this summer, with a move to Serie A side Monza close. He joined Arsenal from Flamengo in 2020, having previously spent a spell at Manchester City, but has made only 22 appearances for the club, including just 12 in the Premier League.

Hector Bellerin

Bellerin looks unlikely to be sold by Arsenal this summer, but reports suggest the club are in talks with the 27-year-old right-back over cancelling his contract. These are likely to be fruitful given Arsenal’s attitude towards experienced fringe players. He came through the club’s youth ranks and has played 239 times in all competitions but was loaned to Real Betis last summer in a hint that his long-term future does not lie at the Emirates Stadium.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles

The midfielder has struggled to impress manager Arteta, with the pair’s relationship having been apparently strained for some time. Arsenal are reportedly looking for a buyer for the 24-year-old, who spent the second half of last season at Roma, where he made 12 appearances. Extremely versatile, he has been linked to Nottingham Forest.

Reiss Nelson

There were strong links with an Arsenal exit earlier in the summer for Reiss Nelson, but the Gunners are now thought to be verging towards keeping him. Nevertheless, if there is an attacking player they probably feel they can do without, it is the 22-year-old, and should a suitable offer come in before Transfer Deadline Day, the door is likely to be opened for him to leave.