A look at the status of each Gunners player and which ones should be kept, sold or loaned out ahead of next season
With the end of the 2019/20 season in sight, Mikel Arteta and his staff will soon be forced to consider which players fit into his vision for the future of Arsenal and those who don't.
In the January transfer window, much of the focus was on incoming deals for Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari with the only outgoing transfers made were the loans of younger players.
With the potential of missing out on Europa League football still alive, however, the consequences could be dear. Whereas some players may require some form of European football to stay, others may have to may way to raise funds as a result.
Here, football.london assess each player in the squad, as well as a few Under-23s players, and whether they should be kept, sold or loaned out for the 2020/21 campaign
Bernd Leno: Without a doubt the German should be kept. A very strong contender for player of the season, Leno was a key reason Arsenal had a chance to qualify for the Europa League via the Premier League. His performances early on meant the side didn't fall as far down the table as they could have done and just before lockdown, his performances were crucial in turning draws into wins. He won't have it easy when he returns but he's a key part of the side. Keep
Emi Martinez: Since taking over from Leno after his injury, Martinez has exceeded the expectations of many, proving with each passing game that he can be relied upon. Even if he doesn't keep his spot as the first choice goalkeeper, he is more than good enough to be Leno's deputy. Keep
Matt Macey: Although Martinez has proven that all a goalkeeper needs is a chance to impress, it's becoming increasingly unlikely that will come for Macey at Arsenal. The extension in his contract was triggered, meaning it expires in 2021, but it's hard to see the 25-year-old staying beyond that. He needs first team football and with Leno and Martinez ahead of him, that'll be very hard to come by in north London. Sell
Hector Bellerin: Despite still searching for consistency after an injury-laden 2019/20 season, Bellerin has made strides under Arteta. He has looked more comfortable when asked to tuck into more central areas and willing to push forward again but just needs to reach a consistent level of performance which should come. Keep
Cedric Soares: Considering he recently signed a long-term deal with the club, it's clear Cedric will be kept. Keep
Rob Holding: Similar to Bellerin, consistency has been the issue for Holding this season. Although performances improved after the restart, there were still instances where he looked as if he was searching for his rhythm. Loans have been suggest but with three centre-backs [Mustafi, Mari and Chambers] set to miss the start of the season, keeping him may be the more logical decision. Keep
Calum Chambers: Without being fully fit until the end of the calendar year, there won't be any movement from Chambers. Keep
Sokratis: As revealed by football.london on July 27, Sokratis is not part of Arteta's tactical plans for next season. Despite looking to stay at the club this summer, which football.london revealed on July 12, Arsenal must be firm and take control of the situation. As it stands there will be seven centre-backs at the club at the start of next season and if Sokratis needs to be sacrificed one way or another, it should happen. Sell
Shkodran Mustafi: Like Sokratis, Mustafi is intent on staying at the club this summer despite his contract expiring next summer. His hamstring injury will also make shifting him difficult so it appears more likely that he will stay in north London than with Sokratis. Keep [Sell if at all possible]
David Luiz: Having signed his extension, Luiz will obviously stay at the club next season. Keep
Pablo Mari: Like Cedric, having signed a long term deal with the club, Mari will be staying at Arsenal. Keep
William Saliba: Another player that's category is obvious in this debate. Keep
Kieran Tierney: Same here. Keep
Zech Medley: Training with the first team after lockdown, the next step has to be for him to get some real experience next season. Loan
Sead Kolasinac: When looking at what Arteta is looking for, the case can be made to offload Kolasinac. He may be a solid backup to Tierney at left-back but when forced to fill in at centre-back, he struggles. Sell
Ainsley Maitland-Niles: Despite reports that have emerged at different points during the season, Maitland-Niles has proven he can adapt to the needs of Arteta and the team on numerous occasions. Whether it be playing at right-back in a back four or wing-back [on either side] in a back five, he has excelled in these roles more consistently than players natural to these positions. A player like this may not seem important in the midst of a season, but take them away and the job they do will be dearly missed. Keep
Mohamed Elneny: The midfielder was not missed this season and offloading him could help with incoming deals. Sell
Granit Xhaka: Growing into one of the most important members of the side under Arteta, it is a must that he is kept. His absence from the side is noticeable when he doesn't play and the role he plays in building play and protecting the backline is a core foundation for what Arteta is trying to build. Keep
Lucas Torreira: In his eight months in charge, Arteta has been searching for the perfect partner for Xhaka and found it. The only negative is that it isn't Torreira. Brought to the club specifically as a defensive minded player, used to break up play and supply playmakers, it is unfortunate that the Uruguayan doesn't fit into the side as well as Ceballos does. But even when the Spaniard leaves, he won't be able to reach the same levels on the ball which may be reason to sell and look for a midfielder that can. Sell
Dani Ceballos: Despite there being no option to buy, Arsenal should try their hardest time secure a permanent deal for Ceballos. The way he is able to blend defensive and offensive responsibilities is unmatched and is key to the way the side play under Arteta. He may need another creator around him but the job he does in particular stands out as one of the main positives of Arteta's Arsenal.
Both parties have expressed the desire to make the move permanent but Arteta has admitted it is not in Arsenal's hands.
"Again, I am really happy with him, I think he's evolving the right way and is becoming a really important player for us," he said on July 6.
"We are talking to the club. Obviously, we don't own the player, it's not in our hands so the clubs will need to have communication and see what we can do." Keep
Matteo Guendouzi: In an ideal world, the 21-year-old will take the opportunity to make amends with Arteta and start fresh. Xhaka, Maitland-Niles and Mustafi are examples of players that have turned their Arsenal careers around under him but if not, selling him may be best as it'll give Arsenal the funds to properly rebuild the squad ahead of next season. Sell [only if his situation is left unresolved]
Joe Willock: With the ability to play both as a box-to-box midfielder or further forward as a No.10. Willock could be very useful for Arteta next season, especially if Ceballos' move isn't made permanent. Keep
Emile Smith Rowe: Considering Arsenal are severely lacking creativity in the final third, now is the time for Smith Rowe to be given a proper run in the first team. A place in the Europa League will help massively but having proven himself at Huddersfield Town, the 20-year-old is deserving of a chance to do so under Arteta at Arsenal. Keep
Matt Smith: Desperately close to making his Arsenal debut after the restart, Smith must search for first team football in the 2020/21 season. He stood out throughout the 2019/20 campaign for the Under-23s, taking a more disciplined role in front of the defence and performing extremely well. A loan would be best suited for him. Loan
Mesut Ozil: Ozil's stance has remained clear that he will see out his contract at Arsenal which expires in 2021. Keep
Reiss Nelson: Where Nelson differs from Arsenal's other attacking talent is that he can play off both wings effectively while offering different things. He can be a more direct threat off the right, working the touchline, while drifting infield from the left. Also able to play as a No.10. it would be interesting to see if he's tested there at some point. Either way, he is a valuable member of the squad. Keep
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Roma have a deal in principle to keep Mkhitaryan for the 2020/21 season, which appears to be a permanent deal. Sell
Nicolas Pepe: Another obvious one here. Keep
Gabriel Martinelli: Same with Gabi. Keep
Bukayo Saka: And here with Saka. Keep
Alexandre Lacazette: When it comes to Lacazette a decision either way is understandable. 29-years-old, coming off a season marred by his early ankle injury with two years left on his contract, now seems like a good time to cut ties. The Frenchman, however, is a key part of Arteta's side not just with what he offers on the pitch but the way he guides the youngsters in the side. I'd side towards keeping unless moving him on was necessary to bring a transfer target to the club. Keep
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: The ideal situation is that Aubameyang extends his current deal with the club. Since Arteta's arrival, he's proven his influence is not just with his goals but with the defensive work he gets through and like Lacazette, the work he does with the youngsters. An exceptional club captain, Arsenal must try everything to extend his stay in north London. If they cannot, however, selling him may have to be the answer to avoid losing him on a free next season. Keep
Eddie Nketiah: His rise over the past 12 months has been great to watch and continuing to push Lacazette for the starting position up front, he needs to stay around for the 2020/21 campaign. Keep
Tyreece John-Jules: The 19-year-old is ready for men's football. Although his loan to Lincoln City didn't go totally to plan, playing in different roles for the side, he proved he can perform well at that level after finding a comfort zone in the Under-23s. Next year, he needs to build on this with another spell out on loan. Loan
Folarin Balogun: Like John-Jules, last season Balogun proved he is ready to step up from Under-23s football. Rumours surfaced that Arsenal would be open to letting him go this summer as his contract expires in 2021 but ideally, this shouldn't happen. He may be behind Nketiah and John-Jules in Arteta's plans but allowing him to get first team experience away from the club before he's ready to make the step up in a few seasons should be the way to go. If they do decide to sell, a buy-back clause is a must. Loan
Source: Football.london
