Two Arsenal stars could leave the Emirates this summer if Mikel Arteta finally signs one of his top transfer targets, according to reports.
It’s been an underwhelming season for Arsenal so far, with the club set to finish runner-up in the Premier League title race for the third consecutive year.
With nine games left, the Gunners are 12 points behind Liverpool and they have also failed to win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Their only hope of avoiding another trophyless season would be to win the Champions League but they are not fancied to beat holders Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
As such, Arteta is planning a substantial overhaul of his squad this summer transfer window, with no less than seven players to be sold or released.
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This includes the likes of Jorginho, Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko who have all been long touted for a move, but The Times report two more stars could be on the chopping block.
It is said that both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli’s futures at Arsenal will be in doubt if Arteta is able to sign a new winger.
While signing a striker is the priority, with the likes of Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike on their shortlist, the manager would like to bring in a new wide forward to support an attack that has struggled with injuries and scored 16 fewer goals than Liverpool.
Trossard, who has scored four goals in the league, is the likelier of the pair to be moved on with his contract expiring in 2026 and has come under criticism at times this campaign.
Alan Shearer said the Belgian lacked ‘hunger’ in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, while Gunners fans believe it would be a ‘mistake’ if the club extended his current deal.
The 30-year-old signed for the north London club in January 2023 from Brighton for £20million and has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League.
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As for which winger could replace Trossard or Martinelli, the report adds that Arteta will once again make a move for Nico Williams, who has long been linked with swapping Athletic Bilbao for Arsenal.
The 22-year-old helped Spain win Euro 2024 last summer and has followed that with another stellar campaign, recording nine goals and seven assists in all competitions so far.
The Gunners wanted to buy Williams in the last transfer window but were unable to pay his €58m (£48.5m) release clause.
For now, Arteta is preparing his side for their first clash since the March international break, with Arsenal hosting Fulham on Tuesday night.
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