With the season drawing to a close, Arsenal will be looking ahead to a summer transfer window with the aim of upgrading the squad in order to better compete for a Premier League title once again next season. However, there’s plenty of work to be done in regard to both incomings and outgoings.
Sporting director Edu has been scrutinised for the lack of significant income from departures during his time at the club but this summer has plenty of sellable assets that are likely to invite interest. However, some decisions are going to be trickier than others and although good money might be on the table for some, allowing them to leave could prove to be the wrong choice.
With that in mind, football.london takes a look at four players who have been linked with summer exits from the club and who Arsenal might regret allowing to go. Ensuring the best possible group for Mikel Arteta next year will require plenty of the existing resources.
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Kieran Tierney
The most notable and frequently talked about high-profile potential departure is certainly Kieran Tierney. After the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko in the summer, Tierney’s minutes have diminished considerably and he has amassed just 604 in the Premier League this season.
The club said to be keen on the Scot’s signature is Newcastle United. The new financial powerhouse of the league already pushing for the Champions League places well ahead of schedule and making some smart signings including former Gunner Joe Willock.
Tierney would certainly be an upgrade on Dan Burn and offer similar to what Kieran Trippier has provided on the right flank. Arsenal would surely be able to make a serious amount of money from an intra-league move but with the Magpies looking such a threat, allowing Tierney to go to a potential direct rival could leave some regret if he aids in their ascent up the table.
Emile Smith Rowe
Another player who has struggled for game time this season is Emile Smith Rowe. Previously the nailed-on starter for the left flank, a groin injury requiring surgery combined with the rise of Gabriel Martinelli has all but taken the rug out from underneath the Hale End graduate's chances of regular league football.
Mikel Arteta has shown reluctance to bring Smith Rowe on of late even when needing goals at Liverpool, West Ham and at home to Southampton. He was brought on with the score at 3-0 to Manchester City in place of Martin Odegaard which could reveal some insight into where Arteta sees the player’s future but he may have other ideas.
Arsenal turned down multiple bids for Smith Rowe in the summer of 2021 which broke the £30million-mark. Smith Rowe went on to sign a new deal and earn the fabled No.10 shirt but with Unai Emery - the man who gave Smith Rowe his senior competitive debut for the Gunners - at the helm of Villa, maybe that could change things. football.london understands that the interest from the Birmingham-based club has not been extinguished in the time since their failed pursuit.
Reiss Nelson
It has felt like an inevitability that Reiss Nelson would move on from Arsenal this season. After a number of loan spells and frequent failed attempts to establish himself in the Gunners' side, the irony is he’s made arguably his biggest impact this season with his contract coming to an end.
Discussions over a new deal have been opened football.london understands, but there is yet to be a breakthrough. Brighton are an interested party who have also recently approached James Milner regarding signing on a free as they look to reinforce a squad with an increasingly ambitious objective.
If Nelson is to leave, it is probably the right decision from his perspective as he searches for more regular minutes. However, based on his bright contributions and impact from the bench this season, it could be a move that sees Arsenal regret not allowing the 23-year-old more time to prove his worth.
Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun has had an astonishingly good season on loan with Reims. Only three players, Alexandre Lacazette (20), Jonathan David (21) and Kylian Mbappe (22) have more goals than the 18 he’s managed in Ligue 1 this season and bear in mind the aforementioned trio are established goal scorers in France already.
The problem for Arsenal lies in how they deal with Balogun in the summer. Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah are ahead of Balogun in the pecking order, although many (myself included) feel Balogun has earned a shot to stake a claim for the No.9 role next season.
That said, with two years remaining on his contract, there’s good reason to think this summer might be the best time to sell and maximise any fee a team would be willing to pay for the Hale Ender. If he does leave, he’s almost guaranteed to continue scoring goals and that’s something Arsenal may regret seeing should he decide to make a switch.
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