We all know that Arsenal will have to sell to buy this summer and with Mikel Arteta needing new players to continue his ‘process’ who could he ship out this summer?

Coach of Arsenal Mikel Arteta in action during the FC European Football League quarterfinal match SK Slavia Prague vs Arsenal in Prague, Czech Republic, April 15, 2021. CTKxPhoto/OndrejxDeml CTK
Coach of Arsenal Mikel Arteta in action during the FC European Football League quarterfinal match SK Slavia Prague vs Arsenal in Prague, Czech Republic, April 15, 2021. CTKxPhoto/OndrejxDeml CTK

This summer looks set to be another of major change at Arsenal with Mikel Arteta given another chance to shape this squad into one of his own.

While there will no doubt be a couple of new faces arriving at Arsenal, the majority of the traffic seems like it will be heading one way – out.

So who is likely to leave this summer? Here are a few of the possibilities:

Matteo Guendouzi

AUGSBURG, GERMANY: Herthas Dodi Lukebakio (v) und Matteo Guendouzi celebrate during the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and Hertha BSC at WWK-Arena on November 7, 2020. (Photo by Stefan Puchner - Pool/Getty Images)
AUGSBURG, GERMANY: Herthas Dodi Lukebakio (v) und Matteo Guendouzi celebrate during the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and Hertha BSC at WWK-Arena on November 7, 2020. (Photo by Stefan Puchner – Pool/Getty Images)

When Matteo Guendouzi was signed in 2018 by Unai Emery, he was billed as ‘one for the future’ but thrown straight into the first team. He impressed immediately and while issues with his attitude have caused him problems with Mikel Arteta, it’s hard not to think this could be a move that Arsenal will regret.

There has been no talk either way but the fact that we haven’t heard anything about integrating him next season or that even being mooted as a possibility leads me to believe he will be sold if a buyer can be found.

David Luiz

Arsenal's Brazilian defender David Luiz waits for a red card decision during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on February 2, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP)
Arsenal’s Brazilian defender David Luiz waits for a red card decision during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on February 2, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP)

The centreback is out of contract this summer and while Arsenal won’t get any money for him, they would be able to remove his £120kpw wages from the books. There had been talk that Arsenal wanted to offer him another one-year deal with more responsibility behind the scenes and less on the pitch but the latest rumours claim he will be allowed to leave when the season ends.

Runar Alex Runarsson

Arsenal's Icelandic goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson comes on after Arsenal's German goalkeeper Bernd Leno leaves the field on being red carded during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on February 2, 2021. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP)
Arsenal’s Icelandic goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson  (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP)

A signing recommended by Inaki Pavon, Runarsson looks like a keeper who should not be anywhere near a Premier League side. Valued at £1.6m after Arsenal paid £1.8m, it would be best all-around if we just let him leave this summer. Even if we can’t get a fee, there seems little point in continuing to pay his £40kpw wages when he isn’t even deemed good enough to get into the Europa League squad ahead of James Hillson. Runarsson also hasn’t been in a Premier League squad since 6 February.

Hector Bellerin

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal takes photos on his camera after his teams victory in the Heads Up FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 01, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 01: Hector Bellerin of Arsenal takes photos on his camera after his teams victory in the Heads Up FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Hector wanted to leave Arsenal last summer and it seems as if Mikel Arteta convinced him to stay once more season. I love Hector and will be incredibly sad to see him leave this summer but it looks like that is what will happen. If we’re honest, he hasn’t been the same player since his knee injury but will have no shortage of suitors. He should also command a decent transfer fee of around £20m and his wages currently cost the club £110kpw.

Dani Ceballos

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Dani Ceballos of Arsenal looks dejected following his team's defeat in the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on December 19, 2020 in Liverpool, England. A limited number of fans (2000) are welcomed back to stadiums to watch elite football across England. This was following easing of restrictions on spectators in tiers one and two areas only. (Photo by Peter Powell -
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 19: Dani Ceballos of Arsenal looks dejected following his team’s defeat in the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on December 19, 2020 in Liverpool, England.  (Photo by Peter Powell –

Arsenal can’t sell Dani Ceballos as they don’t own him but they can stop paying his not-inconsequential wages. Just like last season, Ceballos has started to come into form now the weather is a bit warmer but there is no denying that he has failed to impress more often than not for most of his two years at the club. As it stands, Arsenal seem as happy to let him return to Real Madrid as they would be playing at online casinos with 50 free spins no deposit to maximise their chances of winning.

Lucas Torreira

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Hector Bellerin embraces Gabriel Martinelli and Lucas Torreira of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on January 21, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 21: Hector Bellerin embraces Gabriel Martinelli and Lucas Torreira of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on January 21, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Torreira has made it clear he wants to leave Europe to return home to South America. Given his value and wages (£75kpw) he looks to be beyond Boca Juniors, which is his first choice, but desire is a powerful motivating factor and he might just find a way.

Other players who could leave Arsenal this summer

  • Eddie Nketiah
  • Reiss Nelson
  • Ainsley Maitland-Niles
  • Konstaninos Mavropanos
  • Joe Willock

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