Arteta’s decision on Arsenal’s ‘Dirty Dozen’ coming soon

While in the midst of a fierce battle for the Champions League spot, Arsenal are also looking to the future, or to the July transfer window, which is looming. The results business is handled by Mikel Arteta, while sporting director Edu is handling the transfer business. However, the Brazilian needs an input from his coach in terms of wanted/unwanted players. And while the wanted list is still unknown, at least we know more about Arsenal’s “Dirty Dozen”, the 12 loaned/transfer listed players, who are facing uncertain future come June. Well, for some of them the future is clear and it won’t be in North London.

After the September 2021 transfer window, Arsenal was the biggest spender with 166 million euros used on 6 players, the biggest spree in whole Europe. And this year they are also expected to spend big, but not as much as last season. They need strengthening, but they will also need to offload some players in order to trim the wage bill. And there are 12 of them at the Emirates.

Bernd Leno

From a starter to a backup in one season. The German saw the writing on the wall when the Gunners gave 25 million pounds to Sheffield United for Aaron Ramsdale, and struck gold with a player. The keeper is Arsenal’s future number 1 for years to come and Leno will definitely leave the club. Will he go to Newcastle, where he nearly ended up in January, remains to be seen, but there will be suitors.

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Alexandre Lacazette

Coach Arteta knows that his occasional captain is talking to other clubs, and he explained that his contract position allows him to do so. The Frenchman will be a free agent in June, and since there is no bid on the table from Arsenal, he is seeking other options. Arteta has suggested that he will attempt to persuade the striker to sign a new deal, but it doesn’t look good when you let your captain run his contract out without attempting to extend him months before that. Lacazette is not some 17-year old kid from the Academy.

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Mohamed Elneny

The Egyptian only played in 10 games this season (7 Premier League, three in EFL Cup) and his contract runs out in June. That is all you need to know about his future. Various European clubs are after him, and he will have no problems signing for them.

Eddie Nketiah

It started promising with 5 goals in 5 Cup games, but the youngster failed to force Mikel Arteta to use him as a striker, even when Aubameyang left and Lacazette struggled. He is out of contract and won’t come back.

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Hector Bellerin

After years in Arsenal, both the club and the player agreed he needs a break from the Emirates and after a good season in Betis, it seems only logical that both clubs will work out a deal for the Spaniard to remain at Benito Villamarin Stadium for another season.

Saliba: If I do go back to Arsenal, it will be to play - not to sit on the bench

William Saliba

The newly French international never got the proper chance in Arsenal. Unlike Arteta, Jorge Sampaoli saw something in the youngster, and he is currently playing great football in Marseille, where he established himself as a starter, even winning a senior cap for France. Saliba already stated he will come back to Arsenal but only as a starter, not to sit on the bench again, so another year in Marseille on loan is probably the best solution.

Lucas Torreira

The Argentinian has established himself in Fiorentina team (30 games so far, 24 as starter) and he will push for the permanent transfer, as well as Fiorentina. They still have some leftovers from Vlahovic’s transfer to Juventus.

Konstantinos Mavropanos

The Greek has a similar status in Germany as Torreira in Italy. He has been the starter for Stuttgart in almost all games, and he is likely to stay in Germany after the season ends. Stuttgart are in a relegation battle but he will probably end up in Swabia no matter what happens with the club.

Matteo Guendouzi

He is as good as former Gunner. He is in the first 11 of Sampaoli’s Marseille whole season and plays well, so Olyimpique wil activate his buy option clause as soon as the season ends.

Pablo Mari

Mari wants to stay in Italy as he knows he has no future in North London, even thou he is not the regular starter in Udinese teams (only 9 games, two as a starter). If Udinese wishes to make his transfer permanent, Arsenal won’t have any objections.

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Reiss Nelson

Who? Nelson has scored twice and made four assists in his last seven games for Feyenoord, which can only do him good in front of Arteta. He might leave too, but he will be given the chance to prove himself during the pre-season.

Alex Runarsson

Belgian side Leuven like him, but don’t have the money to do a deal with the Gunners, so his future is an uncertain one.

PREMIER LEAGUE - REARRANGED MATCHES

Tuesday

Round 30

22:00: (1.45) Liverpool (4.80) Man.Utd. (7.75)

Wednesday

Round 18

21:45: (2.45) Everton (3.35) Leicester (3.20)

Round 25

21:45: (1.99) Chelsea (3.50) Arsenal (4.40)

Round 30

21:45: (2.45) Newcastle (3.20) Crystal Palace (3.35)

22:00: (1.25) Man.City (7.00) Brighton (14.0)

Thursday

Round 30

21:45: (2.85) Burnley (3.25) Southampton (2.75)