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News
- 59 minutes ago
Arsenal are turning into Chelsea - and not in a good way
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 10 Apr 2026 14:28 BST
- 5 min read
Analysis
Arsenal appear to be turning into Chelsea. Not in an obvious way, but in subtle discreet fashion ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Gunners have displayed steady progression since the appointment of Mikel Arteta and a first Premier League title since 2004 is within sight following an immensely impressive, if not spectacular, campaign.
Smart transfer choices over multiple years have resulted in Arsenal building one of the best first-team squads in Europe. Sure, they lack the attacking glamour of Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain, but they are hard to beat and they have a recognised style that produces results.
This summer, however, they are set to move away from their preferred transfer strategy.
Arsenal haven’t sold a single player for over €32 million since 2018, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (to Liverpool) remains their all-time record sale at just €38m. However, that is expected to change. Offers for Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Ben White will all be listened to, as per multiple reports, while the club want to address their issues in attack.
Current ETV
Gabriel Martinelli
F, AM (L)
Arsenal
Gabriel Martinelli
F, AM (L)
Arsenal
ETV Range
€46.2M - €56.4M
Julian Alvarez and Anthony Gordon have both been earmarked as top targets, while they have even been speculatively linked with a move for PSG superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in recent weeks.
However, in order to fund such business, Arsenal are ready to go down the Chelsea route.
Arsenal ready to sell Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri
Since the arrival of Clearlake Capital at Stamford Bridge, they have sanctioned the sales of 14 Chelsea academy products. That figure is set to rise further this summer, with Tyrique George among the stars expected to depart permanently ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The reason for this approach is due to the fact that selling academy graduates counts as ‘pure profit’ on the balance sheet. As no transfer fee was paid to sign them and they are homegrown talents, the likes of Conor Gallagher and Lewis Hall counted as ‘pure profit’ for Chelsea upon their exits.
This has allowed the west London giants to balance the books and spend ludicrous sums on players such as Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Jamie Gittens.
Arsenal’s lack of major departures in recent years leaves them in a precarious position with regards to the Premier League’s financial regulations, and selling their most talented academy stars is an easy way to avoid any rule breaches.
As a result, BBC Sport have confirmed that Arsenal will listen to offers for Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri this summer, with the club hoping to fetch a combined €115 million (£100m) for the pair.
From a financial perspective it makes sense, especially considering neither youngster is currently a key player under Arteta, but Arsenal are at risk of alienating their fanbase if the two wonderkids are sold.
Both Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri played pivotal roles for Arsenal last season and although they have been fringe players this term, with the latter sent on loan to Marseille in January, their talent is undeniable.
Lewis-Skelly, in particular, was one of Arsenal’s best players in 2024-25 and while he is behind Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori in the pecking order at present, the Gunners would be foolish to sanction a sale given his enormous talent.
The Arsenal supporters have experienced a remarkably upwards trajectory under Arteta and the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium is arguably at its all-time best given they haven’t won the Premier League title since leaving Highbury.
However, the mood could sour quickly if Arsenal cast Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri aside.
Chelsea have been burned many times before when selling their best academy talents, with the aforementioned Hall a prime example, and Arsenal could be set to follow in the Blues’ footsteps this summer - something that would represent a major error.
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