Arsenal: 5 extra players to sell if Gunners lose FA Cup final

3. Sead Kolasinac

Like goalkeeper, left-back is another position where only one player starts per match. Unlike in central midfield, centre-back, or across the front line, rotation is only done in straight swaps with changes in formation not likely to include both left-backs in the starting XI.

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In a season with fewer games and an easier schedule where resting players who have played midweek and weekend fixtures for an extended period is not so pertinent, having two left-backs is not essential. The back-up left-back becomes expendable, especially if you have a back-up right-back (Cedric Soares) and central midfielder (Ainsley Maitland-Niles) who can fill in at the position in a pinch.

Sead Kolasinac, therefore, loses his value greatly. Kieran Tierney is the starter, and is far superior to the bumbling Bosnian, and he will only start when the Scottish international needs a break, is suspended, or suffers an injury. The first of those will be far less problematic in a reduced season, while the latter two are somewhat dependent on fortune. They are difficult to predict.

This does not mean Arsenal do not need depth, but given that they have versatile players who can fill in across the backline, they need not double up at every single position as they might normally want to. As such, Kolasinac is no longer necessary. Getting his wages off the books and recouping at least some value in the transfer market quickly becomes the wisest move.