Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be forced to make a number of difficult decisions when building his squad for the 2023/24 season.
The Gunners are primed for a busy summer ahead of their return to the UEFA Champions League. It's argued, fairly, that Arteta's current team lacks the necessary quality outside the starting XI to replicate this season's success.
Improving a number of positions will be on sporting director Edu Gaspar's shortlist ahead of the window opening next month, with some of Europe's best players linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.
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However, the club have a number of players with uncertain futures awaiting further guidance after temporarily moving away from north London. One player who is expected to be sold is USMNT defender Auston Trusty.
The defender has spent the season on loan at Championship side Birmingham City, making 48 appearances and winning the clubs' Player of the Season award. Trusty joined the Gunners from MLS side Colorado Rapids - who are also owned by Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke - as part of the American billionaire's vision to form a pathway between the two franchises while bolstering scouting operations in North America.
Trusty's future has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks, with Birmingham keen to make his move permanent and Rangers monitoring his situation. Kroenke could have a direct input on Trusty's situation given the Gunners chief was key to the player signing for the club.
"I'm sure it definitely helped that the Kroenkes were there," Trusty previously said.
“If there is that relationship there you definitely want to take advantage of it, if that makes things smoother. It’s a business deal, so there is a lot of friction that goes on. If you can limit the amount of friction, then why not.”
The 24-year-old has already admitted his ambitions to play in the Premier League, which may mean he could leave Arsenal if opportunities are not forthcoming "As a player you want to play with the best, wherever that is," he said.
"Right now the Premier League is probably the best league in the world so that is obviously the goal for myself and my future."
Unfortunately for Trusty, his dream of playing in England's top flight for Arsenal are very slim, for a number of reasons. Firstly, Arteta already has a number of quality options at centre-back.
But perhaps the most difficult reason is the league ruling of overseas players. The rule states that each club is permitted a maximum of 17 'non-homegrown' players and Trusty faces tough competition to be among that list.
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