Arsenal: 7 pre-season players in line for transfer departures

In pre-season almost every facet of matches needn’t be delved into too deeply. Individual performances have to be taken with a pinch of salt, as does fitness, although Mikel Arteta offered a fair hint with his Arsenal lineup against Rangers.

Due to playing Hibernian in the week there were always going to be alterations to the side, although it was noticeably different with the team at Ibrox.

A game in which Arsenal dominated and created numerous opportunities to score somehow managed to finish all square, thanks to another batch of slack defending from set pieces.

After the game Arteta hinted at new additions arriving to complement those already brought in, but it’s in the departure section where equal measures of concern have arisen.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1416442580942823425

Arsenal: 7 pre-season players in line for transfer departures this summer window as Gunners prepare for trip to the USA for the Florida Cup

Yet to sanction a single permanent transfer, the exits of Matteo Guendouzi, Konstantinos Mavropanos and William Saliba have only offered small loan fees thus far. Granted, the first two are almost certain full-time exits following the completion of their 12-month moves, so in many ways the cash is already in north London.

Still, seeing a whole host of players take to the pitch in pre-season – many of whom are gunning for exits or will be pushed out – still not secure any transfers out of north London is a growing concern.

Interested clubs do know what they are doing, though. Aware Arsenal need to ship these bodies out, biding their time until the latter part of the window may help them secure smaller fees. That comes with the caveat with the preference of getting new additions bedded in soon.

Looking at Arteta’s starting lineup compared to his bench at Ibrox, he almost spelled it out for us. Who is staying and who could be going were separated by a white line. Here are seven to feature in pre-season so far who could be on the move.

1. Karl Hein – Goalkeeper

Interested clubs: Brighton

Conceding two goals in pre-season that he could have done nothing about, Karl Hein made a couple of strong saves in both games in Scotland that will do him the world of good this summer.

That’s mainly because he looks set to leave.

Battling with Arthur Okonkwo for a starting berth in the youth setups last season, it was Okonkwo who won the battle for seniority after signing a long-term contract and being jumped up to the first team.

Talks have stalled over a new contract for the 19-year-old Estonian and Brighton have shown their interest this summer as the look for a replacement for Mat Ryan.

The minutes he’s earned in pre-season will have helped interested parties make up their minds.