Arsenal have confirmed they’re releasing at least four players this summer, with Eddie Nketiah’s situation still unclear as a possible fifth.

Alexandre Lacazette announcement photo for Lyon transfer (Photo via ol.fr)
Alexandre Lacazette announcement photo for Lyon transfer (Photo via ol.fr)

Posting on the club website on Friday morning, Arsenal confirmed their list of players who will be out of contract from June 30th.

For the men’s team, this includes Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, whilst the u23s will be losing Jonathan Dinzeyi, Joel Lopez, and Jordan McEneff.

The first-team players are no surprise, with Lacazette having already left for Lyon.

For Nketiah, Arsenal add that they’ve offered the striker a new contract and discussions are ongoing, so this announcement isn’t final by any means. Charles Watts reports that it looks like Nketiah will extend, and The Athletic claim an announcement is close.

Dinzeyi and McEneff are also not surprising departures, following underwhelming loan spells this season. McEneff has struggled to stay fit as well, missing the last month-and-a-half with his latest issue.

Jordan McEneff with Arsenal (Photo via McEneff on Instagram)
Jordan McEneff with Arsenal (Photo via McEneff on Instagram)

So that leaves Lopez as probably the most unexpected member of the group, but even then, you can see why the decision has been made.

Lopez has certainly had good moments this season, particularly in scoring against Premier League 2 title winners Manchester City and providing an assist as Arsenal knocked Chelsea out of the EFL Trophy.

But the left-back’s defensive performances haven’t been consistent and he continues to struggle with niggling injuries.

The fact Lopez has only made one first-team squad (in the Europa League, over a year ago) despite all the injuries and issues at left-back ahead of him suggests it just wasn’t going to happen for him at Arsenal.

The January addition of Lino Sousa also hasn’t helped, with the 17-year-old impressing in his u23 appearances so far and now able to push on and become a starter next season.

Having said all of that, Lopez has been a regular member of the u23 side for the last year and a half, so it will be a shame to see him go.

Good luck to all four of the released players, and hopefully Nketiah won’t make it five.