Six Arsenal players who could leave this summer

Updated: 12 Jul 2023 19:45 BST
5 min read

Arsenal could be set for a massive summer to build on the back of their best Premier League campaign in nearly 20 years, with a potential for major incomings and outgoings for Mikel Arteta’s side.

The Gunners are 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 after a six-year absence.

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With Arsenal back amongst the elite sides in England and Europe, FootballTransfers takes a look at which players could be heading for the Emirates exit ahead of, what will likely be, a busy summer for Arteta.

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 Declan Rice.

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 this season.

While the Scot is an important part of Arsenal’s squad, the likes of Manchester City and Newcastle have been linked with a £30 million move and he could be sold on in order to raise funds, despite the reluctance from Arteta to lose a talented player to a league rival - though such links have gone cold in recent weeks.

EXCLUSIVE: Man City to approach Arsenal over Tierney

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.

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.

Folarin Balogun

Arsenal could generate another notable fee from the sale of Folarin Balogun, who has enjoyed an outstanding season on loan in Ligue 1 with Reims.

The 21-year-old is among the highest scorers in France with 18 goals and has attracted interest from the likes of RB Leipzig and Milan, with bids in excess of £30m expected.

Balogun is out of contract with Arsenal in 2025 and is unwilling to go back out on loan, instead determined to secure first-team football, either with the Gunners or another club, something which Arteta may not be able to promise him.

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 injuries this season, only playing 154 minutes of football, all from the bench, and his fitness concerns have seen him fall down the pecking order at the Emirates.

The 22-year-old still has three years left on his contract but could be sold on for a reasonable fee, with Aston Villa long-term admirers of the midfielder, as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing campaign.

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 19-year-old may be sold this summer.

Patino has been on loan at Blackpool this season but failed to stop the club being relegated from the Championship, having initially impressed early in his spell.

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 the impressive form of Nuno Tavares, on loan at Marseille this season.

The 23-year-old has scored six times for the French side and he could still have a future at the Emirates, however there have been reports that Arteta 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 on or sent back out on loan unless Arteta believes the Portuguese youngster has developed significantly during his time in France.