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After a busy transfer window, Arsenal’s summer departures are next in Mikel Arteta’s plan.
So far, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">the Gunners</a> did well to bring in quality players in significant positions. Undoubtedly, center-forward Gabriel Jesus is the most important acquisition this summer. However, they also bought other reinforcements across the pitch. For example, attacking midfielder Fabio Vieira, American goalkeeper Matt Turner, and winger Marquinhos all now call the Emirates home. Plus,&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">Manchester City’s</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1548201264261079040" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oleksandr Zinchenko</a> looks set to be the north London club’s next signing. Manchester City and Arsenal reached a deal. Now, all that remains is personal terms for the Ukrainian to move to North London.
Clearly, Arsenal is not done buying players. However, the priority now is to offload quite a few fringe players.
<h3>Arsenal’s summer departures</h3>
With the turn of the season, previously loaned players return to Arsenal under contract. That includes six players that are excess to requirements in Mikel Arteta’s plans. Hector Bellerin, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Pablo Mari, Reiss Nelson, Alex Runarsson, and Lucas Torreira are all most likely entering their final days as Arsenal players.
Along with this sextet, Bernd Leno, Nuno Tavares, and Nicolas Pepe could also be on the move this summer.&nbsp;That brings the total of potential sales to nine players.&nbsp;Although most of these players fail to collect huge transfer fees, selling them all helps the club in three different ways.&nbsp;Firstly, the transfer fees. However big or small this is, it is funding. In selling these players, Arteta and technical director Edu have more at their disposal in the transfer market this summer.
Secondly, player wages in the club fall quite drastically is the aforementioned nine players depart.&nbsp;Currently, the collective nine make a total of about $812,000 per week. Selling these players saves Arsenal somewhere in the range of This means that selling these players could essentially save the club around $42 million annually in wages.
<h5>Fitting in the system</h5>
These nine players do not fit Arteta’s plans with the team. Selling them also frees up space for new recruits.&nbsp;After a campaign without European play, Arsenal return to the Europa League for the 2022/23 season. This means that the club requires a bigger squad. After all, more matches means more tired legs. If Arsenal sells all nine of these players this summer, Arteta requires a few more pieces to fill out the depth necessities of the squad.
Nevertheless, some of the possible departures need not replacement. Currently, the Gunners have five goalkeepers in the senior team. Selling Leno and Runarsson does not affect the squad. Turner arrived for direct competition to current No. 1, Aaron Ramsdale.&nbsp;In a similar situation, selling (or loaning) Bellerin and Mari would also not necessarily mean new recruits would be needed in these particular positions.
Arteta and Edu are off to a good start in bringing more talent to the team. But, Arsenal’s summer departures is just as important.&nbsp;The manager has a clear set of attributes that he wants in his players. Arsenal fans hope that he can grab a few more quality players before the start of the upcoming season.
PHOTO: James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images

After locking in a number of key arrivals, Mikel Arteta now faces alleviating the squad with Arsenal's potential summer departures.

Signings secured, Arsenal's focus turns to summer departures - World Soccer Talk

Signings secured, Arsenal's focus turns to summer departures

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Eddie Nketiah will soon sign a new long-term contract with Arsenal. News of the new deal came as a bit of a shock for many fans and pundits around the world. After all, the 23-year-old striker seemed almost certain to depart The Emirates following his contract expiration this month. Nketiah himself even suggested he could move on from the Gunners just a few months ago.
After Eddie Nketiah scored a hat trick in the Carabao Cup against Sunderland in December, the English youth international talked to SkySports. Nketiah proclaimed he needed more playing time.
<blockquote>“I’m desperate to play football, every player wants to play. All I can do is keep working hard. It will sort itself out, hopefully I get opportunities. I’m eager to play football, I’m here under contract. As long as I play for Arsenal I will give it my all. If the manager needs me I will be ready to help the team.”</blockquote>
Mikel Arteta afforded Nketiah more opportunities down the stretch in the Premier League. This worked well for Nketiah’s desires and those of Arsenal. Nketiah scored five goals in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/05/11/arsenals-top-four-push-thriving-despite-three-major-obstacles/">final eight matches during Premier League play</a>. This vote of confidence undoubtedly helped persuade Nketiah to stay in north London.
<h3>Risks of the new Eddie Nketiah contract</h3>
Retaining his young striker will surely make Arteta happy. However, the impending move remains a gamble for both sides. Nketiah performed well down the stretch for Arsenal. Yet, Arsenal fans await a major impact from the striker over the duration of a season. Over 59 Premier League matches with Arsenal, Nketiah has just <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/eddie-nketiah/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/340324">10 total goals</a>. Clearly, the youngster is not exactly a prolific scorer.
Also, the Gunners supposedly want to keep Nketiah as a second option in attack moving forward. Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus is clearly an Arsenal target. If that transfer goes through, the Brazilian likely takes over the role of leading the Arsenal line.
Nevertheless, Nketiah has actually been better for the Gunners in recent years as a starter in Arteta’s XI. The center forward has 14 goals in 26 total starts in all competitions since the start of the 2020/21 campaign. In comparison, he netted four goals in 29 total substitute appearances during the same timeframe. In fact, all 10 of his goals during last season came when he started the match up front.
On the player’s side of things, it is a bit surprising that Nketiah would be willing to potentially sit behind another striker. His comments following the Sunderland hat trick represent his frustration over playing time. However, Arsenal’s qualification to the Europa League should provide ample opportunities in different competitions in the upcoming season.
<h5>Means of the deal</h5>
Arsenal is reportedly giving Nketiah a fresh £100,000-per-week long-term deal. Although this would mean that his wages would be doubled compared to his last contract, it wouldn’t necessarily break the bank or be any hindrance to any future player contracts. Even if the Gunners can pry Jesus from Manchester City, the club would potentially be paying Nketiah and Jesus a fraction of what they were paying Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette in recent seasons.
The (likely) manageable wages aside, both the club and Nketiah hope this gamble will pay off in a big way going forward. Just turning 23, the striker still has plenty of room to grow as a player.
If he works, he could become a vital piece to the puzzle at a team that he quite clearly loves.

The new Eddie Nketiah contract locks up the 23-year-old's services, but it may not be the right solution for player or club.

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Signings secured, Arsenal's focus turns to summer departures

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New Eddie Nketiah contract is a gamble for both Arsenal, player