Arsenal are set to post a loss in their next set of accounts, for the first time in 17 years, according to reports.

OffThePitch report that Arsenal are set to report a ‘substantial’ loss for 2018/19, after failing to qualify for the Champions League and spending significantly more than they brought in last summer.

Though the results won’t be published until the New Year, and Arsenal are refusing to confirm any details before then, there’s little point hiding the fact that those two factors will certainly see profits turn to losses.

On the upside, new commercial deals are set to boost finances by at least £40m a year, but that won’t be reflected in the accounts just yet. A source told OffThePitch that the club are confident of a busy summer in the transfer market despite the financial restrictions.

Arguably, it’s most important that Arsenal get busy with sales, rather than incomings. The squad needs some pretty major trimming, and selling three or four for each one major incoming would represent good business.

It’s time for Raul Sanllehi and the rest to show what they’re worth.