da fezbet： Some big name players could be on the way out of the Emirates Stadium following their impressive campaign under Mikel Arteta

da poker： All the talk surrounding Arsenal as we head into the summer transfer window revolves around who could come into the club to help build on the fine 2022-23 season Mikel Arteta’s side enjoyed. But who could go out is equally important, with the Gunners looking to try and raise some extra funds to spend over the coming weeks to help with the next stage of the rebuild.

There are doubts surrounding the futures of several players, from experienced stars such as Granit Xhaka and Kieran Tierney to youngsters like Charlie Patino and Arthur Okonkwo. 

So what should Arsenal do when it comes to potential outgoings this summer? GOAL takes a look…

Getty ImagesSELL: William Saliba (if he doesn’t sign a new contract)

Even the notion of Arsenal selling William Saliba this summer seems ridiculous. But with the centre-back set to enter the final year of his contract, it could become a distinct possibility should a new deal not be agreed pretty quickly.

Hopefully a new deal gets signed swiftly and doubts over Saliba’s future are quickly put to bed. But if it can’t be agreed before the end of the window, then it makes sense for Arsenal to sell, albeit very, very reluctantly.

A player like Saliba being allowed to leave on a free transfer simply can’t be allowed to happen. It would be awful to watch the defender walk away for nothing in 12 months time. So if a contract can’t be agreed this summer, the sensible option is for Arsenal to sell while they can still get a relatively high price and then reinvest that money getting someone else in.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesSELL: Granit Xhaka

Ideally, this wouldn’t really even be a matter of debate. Given how important Xhaka has been to Arsenal over the past couple of years, on and off the pitch, the sensible thing for the club to do would be to keep him for a season when Champions League football will be on the agenda.

But with his contract running down and the offer of a long-term deal on the table from Bayer Leverkusen, a return to Germany is an appealing one for Xhaka and his family.

A deal between the clubs has yet to be agreed, but given his years of service and the fact Arsenal are planning to spend big in midfield this summer, the expectation is that he will be allowed to go if a suitable agreement can be found. Providing Arenal get the players they want in the window, then selling is probably a good move for all parties. 

GettyKEEP: Thomas Partey

There have been some suggestions that Partey could potentially be moved on this summer following his drop in form over the final weeks of the campaign. But with Xhaka set to leave, it would be far from wise to allow Partey to go at the same time given the amount that has to be done elsewhere in the squad.

Partey’s form may have dropped during the run-in, but it must be noted he was exceptional for the vast majority of the season. Hopefully he will come back after the summer and get back to his best.

GettySELL: Kieran Tierney

This does feel like the right time to sell Tierney. As good as he is and as popular as he is, it’s just very clear he does not fit Arteta’s system and needs to move on. There will be plenty of interested parties, including Newcastle, and Arsenal should be able to get a very good price for the left-back.

That money can then be reinvested to help fund some signings that do fit the long-term project in north London.