Arsenal player ‘inching closer’ to joining Prem rivals as Arteta begins ‘brutal 12-player clear-out’

Football365

·7 June 2023

Arsenal player ‘inching closer’ to joining Prem rivals as Arteta begins ‘brutal 12-player clear-out’

According to reports, Arsenal are plotting a ‘brutal 12-player clear-out’ before next season and Kieran Tierney is likely to join Newcastle United.

The Gunners mounted a serious challenge for the Premier League title in 2022/23. They struggled during the run-in as they ultimately fell short to Man City, but their second-placed finish seals their return to the Champions League.

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Mikel Arteta is aware that he needs to improve his squad this summer as their rivals will also strengthen ahead of next season.

West Ham’s Declan Rice is among Arsenal’s main summer targets, but they are also looking to offload several squad players.

Football Insider are reporting that Tierney ‘is inching closer to a Gunners exit after a season on the fringes under Arteta’. Newcastle are ‘strong favourites’ in the race for the Scotsman and they will make an ‘official move soon’.

The Gunners are apparently ‘willing to listen to offers for five players who were at the club during the 2022-23 campaign, as well as seven who were out on loan’.

Granit Xhaka and Pablo Mari have ‘agreed’ to join Bayer Leverkusen and Monza respectively. The report adds.

‘It is believed that Arsenal are also willing to allow Rob Holding, Emile Smith Rowe and Charlie Patino leave following their limited involvement in the 2022-23 campaign. The report adds.

‘A well-placed source has revealed that Folarin Balogun will be allowed to find a new club in the summer window despite his successful loan at Stade de Reims – where he netted 22 goals. ‘Left-back Nuno Tavares and winger Nicolas Pepe were also on loan in Ligue 1. The duo are also up for sale as Arteta looks to rebuild his squad as the Londoners plot an assault on the Premier League and Champions League in the 2023-24 season. ‘Albert Sambi Lokonga and Cedric Soares had loans at Crystal Palace and Fulham respectively this term and will be part of the clearout at the Emirates Stadium.’

It is pointed out that Burnley are ‘in talks’ with Arsenal over a ‘loan-to-buy deal for Lokonga, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles is out of contract and will leave on a free transfer this summer.

Arteta recently told reporters that Arsenal “want to be better” and this will not only be achieved by “signing players”.

“We have made a lot of good steps and strong steps in that journey and we have to continue. That never ends,” Arteta told reporters.

“We want to be better and the rest will be better, then the margins will be higher and we have to start to live with those standards and improve and be smarter.

“That doesn’t mean only signing players. It’s to improve our own players. There are players that we haven’t had the best out of them this season.

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