Eventually falling short again last season as they missed out on the chance to get their hands on a first Premier League title since 2004, Arsenal face what appears to be another crucial summer behind the scenes in north London.
While it might appear that a new striking star is at the top of Mikel Arteta’s wishlist this summer, there has been plenty of focus over who could be heading in the opposite direction.
Reportedly looking to slash their wage bill ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, a number of the Gunners’ first-team superstars are potentially planning for life away from the Emirates.
Ahead of what could be a frantic summer in the red half of north London, we have taken a look at some of the Arsenal stars that could be forced out of the Emirates exit.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
With it looking like Riccardo Calafiori’s £50million move from Bologna will be completed over the next few days, it appears that Arteta is keen on moving on some of his defensive stars this summer.
Looking to make room for the 22-year-old who gained a string of plaudits at while away with Italy at this summer’s European Championships, it looks like Oleksandr Zinchenko’s days in north London are numbered.
While there might have been much excitement around the Emirates two years ago as the Ukrainian ace arrived from Manchester City, Zinchenko has struggled to find any real fluidity in the English capital.
Often having to settle for a spot on the bench last season and falling behind Takehiro Tomiyasu in Arteta’s defensive pecking order, it has been reported that Arsenal are looking to cash in on the 27-year-old.
With The Athletic suggesting earlier in the year that Zinchenko will not be offered a new deal, there have been suggestions that German giants Bayern Munich are monitoring the situation closely.
Jakub Kiwior
Although it might appear that Zinchenko will be set for a move away from north London this summer, the Ukrainian skipper is not the only defensive star that that could be on the move.
While Jakub Kiwior might have initially struggled to find his feet after arriving from Spezia in January of last year, the Polish international did make 30 Premier League appearances throughout the 2023/24 campaign and gained plenty of plaudits for his versatilely.
However, with it suggested that the 24-year-old will struggle to get many first-team minutes next season following Calafiori’s imminent arrival, the Gunners are open to letting Kiwior leave this summer.
With Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano even stating this week that the Premier League title chasers would be willing to accept an initial loan move, it has also been suggested that the 26-cap international is keen on a fresh start.
With it looking like an immediate return to Italy could be on the cards, the likes of Inter Milan, Juventus & AC Milan have all registered an interest.
Reiss Nelson
Only managing to make a single Premier League start last season and frequently on the fringes of Arteta’s first-team plans, it won’t be a surprise to many Arsenal fans that Reiss Nelson looks set for a summer move away from the Emirates.
Although Nelson might have knocked back plenty of loan advances during the January transfer window earlier in the year, the former England U21 international has now accepted that he needs to kickstart his career away from the Emirates.
With it reported last month that Nelson has already informed Arteta that he is seeking a permanent move away from north London this summer, the ex-Hoffenheim loanee appears to have plenty of Premier League suitors waiting in the wings.
With his current contract running until 2027, Arsenal reportedly see this as the perfect opportunity to cash in on their academy graduate.
Making it clear that his number one priority is to secure regular first-team action, reports this week have suggested that London rivals West Ham are leading the chase and are confident they can complete a quick swoop.
