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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

Keep or sell? Every Arsenal player assessed ahead of £200m summer transfer window

Arsenal are already making plans for a busy summer in the transfer market as they bid to build on their title challenge.

Co-chair Josh Kroenke and sporting director Edu have promised Mikel Arteta they are determined to go again next season and the Gunners are plotting a spending spree that could exceed £200million.

Arsenal will look to raise funds by selling unwanted players as they look to make space in their squad.

Here, Standard Sport assesses who they should keep, offload or might be stuck with.

(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Aaron Ramsdale: should be Arsenal No1 for many more years and is set to sign a new long-term contract. KEEP

Matt Turner: back-up goalkeeper has done fine when called upon this season and is popular in the dressing room. KEEP

Alex Runarsson (on loan at Alanyaspor): has struggled since joining from Dijon in 2020. Best for all parties that he moves on. SELL

Karl Hein: already Estonia No1 at 21 and may push for first-team football elsewhere soon. KEEP

Ben White: shifted to right-back this season and has been one of Arsenal’s best performers, his versatility will continue to be a real asset. KEEP

William Saliba: could be a mainstay in the Arsenal defence for many years. Vital club tie him down to a new contract. KEEP

Rob Holding: has been a great servant since joining for £2m in 2016 but centre-back feels like a position Arsenal can upgrade. SELL

Gabriel: started every Premier League game this season and will look to develop his partnership with Saliba. Rewarded with a new contract in October. KEEP

Pablo Mari (on loan at Monza): his loan move will be made permanent this summer, with Arsenal set to bank £6m. SELL

Jakub Kiwior: January signing needs time to adapt but has shown some promise in recent weeks. KEEP

Takehiro Tomiyasu: a useful squad player who can fill in anywhere across the backline, though may not be fit for the start of next season. KEEP

Cedric Soares: free to leave after six months on loan at Fulham but his £100,000-a-week wages may make him hard to shift. SELL

Oleksandr Zinchenko: a revelation at left-back since joining from Manchester City last summer and vital to how Arsenal play. KEEP

Kieran Tierney: a great servant but does not fit the system now and should command a good transfer fee. SELL

(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Auston Trusty (on loan at Birmingham): excelled in the Championship this season and now is the moment for Arsenal to cash in. SELL

Nuno Tavares (on loan at Marseille): has impressed with his displays in France this season, which should have generated interest. SELL

Ainsley Maitland-Niles (on loan at Southampton): after struggling in a relegated team he is leaving Arsenal when his contract expires this summer. RELEASE

Albert Sambi Lokonga (on loan at Crystal Palace): has not delivered on his potential and another loan or a permanent exit makes sense for everyone. SELL

Charlie Patino (on loan at Blackpool): wants first-team football after a solid season in the Championship and is ready to leave Arsenal for it. SELL

Fabio Vieira: has struggled during his first season in England but deserves time given he is still only 22. KEEP

Granit Xhaka: in advanced talks over a £13m move to Bayer Leverkusen and now feels like the right time to move on, despite a great season. SELL

Jorginho: tempting for Arsenal to cash in if an offer comes in. If not, the Italian has shown his experience is useful to a young squad. KEEP

(Getty Images)

Martin Odegaard: captain and a quality player Arteta should build the team around. Could get even better alongside midfield reinforcements. KEEP

Mohamed Elneny: a perfect squad player. Universally loved, fills in when needed and signed a new deal in February after taking pay-cut. KEEP

Thomas Partey: his form dipped at a crucial time in the season but he would benefit next season if he can be rotated more. KEEP

Bukayo Saka: close to agreeing a new contract that will reflect his status as one of the best players in the Premier League. KEEP

Eddie Nketiah: performed well when Gabriel Jesus was out injured this season. A good squad player and decent option off the bench. KEEP

Emile Smith Rowe: Arsenal will be tempted to sell their No10 if they receive a good offer. But he clearly talented and deserves chance to prove himself. KEEP

Folarin Balogun (on loan at Reims): after 19 goals in Ligue 1 this season, Arsenal should look to cash in on the forward while his stock is high. SELL

(AFP via Getty Images)

Gabriel Jesus: needs to score more goals but still Arteta’s best No9. His experience will be valuable in the Champions League. KEEP

Gabriel Martinelli: his ability to beat defenders makes him different to other forward options and he target over 20 goals next season. KEEP

Leandro Trossard: January signing will be a valuable squad player when Arsenal are back in the Champions League next season. KEEP

Marquinhos (on loan at Norwich): Brazilian winger still looks raw and needs another loan to continue he development. LOAN

Nicolas Pepe (on loan at Nice): the club-record £72m signing is free to leave but Arsenal may struggle find a taker given his wages. SELL

Reiss Nelson: provided valuable contributions off the bench this season but needs to leave to build a career elsewhere. RELEASE

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