Arsene Wenger may want to keep his squad together, but there are some players that need to leave as soon as possible.

The January transfer window will soon be upon us.

While it’s a chance to strengthen the squad for the remainder of the season, it’s also an opportunity to shift certain players on.

It might not be the ideal time to do so, but there are some players who Arsenal might be better off without.

Here are four players who I think Arsenal should sell as soon as they can.

1Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez

I was supportive of the decision to keep Alexis at the club despite his failed move to Manchester City.

At his best, the Chilean is one of the greatest players in the league, and it stands to reason that Arsenal need him if they’re going to achieve anything.

But that’s only if he’s at his best, and as we’ve seen recently, he’s far from that.

He may simply be out of form, but unlike Mesut Ozil, who has perked up as the season has gone on, Alexis’ performances have been getting worse.

He was fantastic in the North London derby, and scored the winner against Burnley, but that was as good as it got.

Now Arsenal have to question if it’s worth investing time to get him back to his best when he’s going to leave at the end of the season anyway.

That time could be better spent on bedding in his replacement.

If someone wants to take him off our hands in January, I feel the club should seriously consider it.

2Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott

At this point, Arsenal have extracted everything they’re going to get out of Walcott.

Last season, when his future was in doubt, Walcott buckled down and put together a seriously good run of form. His work rate was as impressive as his finishing.

This season, with his future still in doubt, he looks defeated. His performances, rare as they are, have been disappointing.

His movement is off, and he seems to have lost a yard of pace.

Form has deserted him, and he’s clearly not going to find it again playing in the Europa League or Carabao Cup.

At 28, he hasn’t got long left at the top, and Arsenal haven’t got long to get a good fee for him.

He’s been a very good servant for the club, but the time has come to move on and invest in the young talent coming through.

3Mathieu Debuchy

Mathieu Debuchy
Mathieu Debuchy

Debuchy has resurrected his Arsenal career as of late.

He’s done so well that some want him to replace Hector Bellerin in the starting line-up.

However, let’s be realistic. Debuchy has done well against low-class opposition. He’s 32 and injury prone.

If Arsenal have the opportunity to sign a new right back who can challenge Bellerin, Debuchy should not be standing in their way.

The Frenchman has spoken about his need to leave the club, and while he may be useful cover at the moment, there are few reasons not to let him move on.

4David Ospina

David Ospina

A mid-season sale of our only backup keeper would be foolish, but his future is worth thinking about.

The Colombian has proven to be lacking the consistency to replace Petr Cech as the club’s first choice keeper.

In addition, there’s only so long he’ll be content with being the number two at the club. At some point, he’ll want to play again.

Cech, given his age and form, should drop down to number two to make way for a new keeper.

In which case, Ospina becomes surplus.

If offers arrive in the summer, the club should take them.