Under Mikel Arteta’s guidance, Arsenal has made significant strides, fostering optimism among fans at the Emirates Stadium, particularly after notable victories against rivals like Tottenham Hotspur.
To maintain this momentum and enhance the squad, Arsenal must release underperforming players in the summer to make way for new recruits.
The club’s growth has transformed once-essential players into liabilities, making it crucial to offload them to secure financial flexibility for new signings.
Aaron Ramsdale, the goalkeeper, is likely to depart, despite his passion and talent.
His decline has been challenging for fans to witness, and some believe he has been treated unfairly by Arteta.
However, his performances haven’t secured his place, with David Raya now the established first-choice goalkeeper.
Ramsdale’s exit could fund Raya’s permanent transfer, and interest from Chelsea and Newcastle suggests a Premier League move is possible.
Kieran Tierney, the left-back, is another player likely to leave due to his struggles with injuries.
Despite showing promise during his loan spell at Real Sociedad, his frequent injuries have made him unreliable.
At Arsenal, he has fallen to fourth choice, making a move to Spain necessary.
Tierney’s injury history suggests he cannot meet the requirement of being a consistently fit left-back, which Arsenal needs to contend for the Premier League and European titles.
Tierney possesses ability and a positive attitude, contributing significantly to Arsenal’s cultural shift.
However, he struggles to adapt to Arteta’s preferred inverted left-back role and cannot be relied upon due to his recurring injuries.
Reports indicate that West Ham and Newcastle are interested in Tierney, making his departure from Arsenal almost certain in the coming months.
The summer transfer strategy will depend on which players depart and the financial flexibility their exits provide.
Arsenal’s decision-makers have already identified the players who will be leaving, and some may have potential moves planned or be in discussions with other clubs about their future.
The club must make tough decisions to continue progressing under Arteta and compete effectively against Europe’s top teams.
By offloading underperforming players and securing new recruits, Arsenal can enhance its squad and maintain its upward trajectory.