Arsenal exodus inevitable and exciting

Per the Daily Mail, Arsene Wenger is planning an exodus of several peripheral squad players to fund other investments. Such departures have been expected for some time and illuminate an exciting future in which a rotting and stagnating Arsenal squad is revitalised with a raft of fresh faces.

As last season drew to a close and people’s attentions shifted towards a crucial summer transfer window in which change and revitalisation was demanded, Arsene Wenger, tellingly described his Arsenal squad as ‘heavy’, alluding to the possibility that he will look to prune the edges, cutting off any dead wood that is deemed unnecessary.

It is certainly a fair assessment. For many years, Arsenal’s issues have lied with their lack of depth, which has become painfully clear when the inevitable onslaught of injuries hits. However, with Wenger being able to be more aggressive in the transfer window, both in terms of the recruitment and the retention of contributing players, the squad has continued to grow where it is now at a point, where established members are being loaned out such that they can enjoy regular playing time.

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It was clear that Wenger wanted to clear some space for new arrivals. Arsenal’s wage bill is worryingly high, and with the loss of income provided by Champions League football, costs would have to be monitored with great consideration and care. Sales were inevitable.

In fact, given that no major departures have yet taken place this summer, that statement can be amended slightly. Sales are inevitable. They are still to come and several players have been rumoured to be on the chopping block, from Olivier Giroud to Mathieu Debuchy.

Per a report in the Daily Mail, Wenger is preparing for a mass exodus – the Daily Mail name eight players that could potentially leave the Emirates this summer, of which I believe six will.

The departures will not only allow young players to sprout, with first-team opportunities that would not otherwise be there, but will offer Wenger the opportunity to reinvest the money saved on improvements, with Thomas Lemar the most likely after the club-record signing of Alexandre Lacazette.

While the modern media may focus on the exciting, high-profile, big-name incomings, what is more influential and significant for the Gunners this summer is what happens to those already in the squad, both the ones that Wenger would like to sell and those who he does not but may be forced into selling.

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An Arsenal exodus is inevitable. It was from the moment the word ‘heavy’ slipped out of Wenger’s mouth, dripping with implied meaning. But it is also exciting. It will be exciting to see what young players benefit from the greater opportunity, who Wenger is able to recruit, and how the squad will shape up next season with much of the dead wood gone. This is an exciting time to be an Arsenal fan and I can’t wait to see what Wenger does in the coming weeks and months.

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