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Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Mikel Arteta may have the answer to Arsenal's next two transfer missions to help save £59m

By all accounts, Arsenal's summer transfer business is not expected to end with the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The Ukraine international, who was spotted in the stands alongside Gunners technical director Edu during the 3-1 pre-season friendly win over Orlando City, will soon be announced as the fifth addition to Mikel Arteta's first-team squad after Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Gabriel Jesus.

After wrapping up a deal for Zinchenko, Arsenal are expected to turn their attention to player sales - with just three high-profile departures so far in Alexandre Lacazette, Matteo Guendouzi and Konstantinos Mavropanos - as Arteta has revealed that those who are surplus to requirements will be allowed to leave before deadline day.

READ MORE: Edu meets with Josh Kroenke as Arsenal’s next signing flies amid late window transfer moves

"I don't know, it's what we have today, and as well we have a large squad, so we have to make some decisions on the players that we're not going to be using consistently and be fair and straight with them, and that's a process that's going to start very soon, as well," the Spaniard said when asked about the possibility of more incomings.

Of course, player sales will be key if the north London outfit are going to strengthen further as they have been tipped to sign a new central midfielder amid links to Youri Tielemans and Lucas Paqueta, whilst there have been talks of a secret winger being on the agenda for Arteta and Edu.

However, judging by a couple of performances during the win over Orlando City coupled with a few responses on social media, the Gunners may not need to dip into the transfer market to sign a central midfielder and winger as there are two players who could be ready to step up.

Supporters were impressed with Albert Sambi Lokonga's performance in the first-half as the left-sided No. 8 - the role that could do with an upgrade despite Granit Xhaka's impressive form last season - as he combined well with Gabriel Martinelli for the opener and looked very much at home in this position.

In fact, after the game, Arteta revealed that he enjoyed the Belgian's performance and revealed the next step in the 22-year-old's development: "We are trying, where he feels comfortable, where he can develop in the best possible way," the Spaniard told reporters.

"He's really comfortable playing in that position, and we want to try and see what he can bring in that position, as well. It's true that now we are missing as well Emile [Smith Rowe] and Fabiano [Vieira] there, so that position we're a little bit short, and he's done well."

If a decision is made to keep faith in Lokonga instead of signing a new central midfielder, then the Gunners would be in line to save £59m in transfer fees when taking into consideration that Tielemans would cost £25m from Leicester City, whilst reports suggest Lyon are demanding £34m for Paqueta.

The other Arsenal player who could save the club millions of pounds is Reiss Nelson. Back from an impressive loan spell with Feyenoord, the winger was on the scoresheet against Orlando City and appears to have the support of many within the fanbase to be handed another chance next season as an internal replacement for Nicolas Pepe.

READ NEXT:

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What Gabriel Jesus did with former Chelsea star after Arsenal 3-1 win over Orlando City

Mikel Arteta breaks silence on Oleksandr Zinchenko transfer and his position at Arsenal

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