Arsenal’s lack of outgoings cause for serious concern

Arsenal has been notoriously sub-par when it comes to transfers in recent years. Aside from the splashes in Thomas Partey and Nicolas Pepe, the Gunners have underwhelmed with both incomings and outgoings.

With Nuno Taveres and Albert Sambi Lokonga the only additions thus far, it has been slim pickings with several other deals rumored to be in the making, in particular Ben White’s impending arrival.

However, one thing that is extremely concerning, at least to me anyway, is the serious lack of outgoings at the Emirates. Why is this? Largely, the pandemic has left teams sitting on their hands as funds simply are not available, while these fringe, and frighteningly mediocre, players are also on huge wages. It’s understandable.

At the time of writing, nine or so players could easily find themselves at a new club if all the stars align for Arsenal: Alex Runarsson, Sead Kolasinac, Hector Bellerin, Mohamed Elneny, Lucas Torreira, Granit Xhaka, and Willian are all reportedly available for the right price. Among others.

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Arsenal’s lack of outgoings cause for serious concern with squad size and morale all important factors as Mikel Arteta shapes team for 2021/22 campaign

Shifting some of these players off the books is imperative. Arsenal clearly have some funds but that need supplementing elsewhere. The fees that the Gunners would demand are uncertain, but it is more clearing the wage bill and reducing the squad size that is critical this season, given there is no European football for the first time in a half a decade.

Bellerin is rumored to be used as a bargaining chip in Arsenal’s ambitious pursuit of Inter’s Lautaro Martinez. Although the Argentine is one of the best strikers on the planet, the Gunners need help elsewhere first to even stand a chance.

The right-back could demand a fee of around £17m while Lucas Torreira could fetch the same amount, if the Uruguayan does indeed exist, that is. Kolasinac, who was loaned out last season, is now third in the left-back order behind Kieran Tierney and Taveres, however, it remains unclear of the sort of fee Arsenal would want for the Bosnian. A contract cancellation could be in order.

Mohamed Elneny could be needed in Arsenal’s midfield should no alternatives be brought in, so he may be spared from the surgery.

Then there is Willian. Where do we start with the Brazilian? Just one year into his three-year/ £30m contract, the former Chelsea winger is currently Arsenal’s third highest earner (£192k-per-week) only behind Thomas Partey and skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, which is shocking.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1420316348199043074

Given the performances we have seen from Willian, it is easy to understand why he could be on his way out. The 32-year-old has never really settled into life in north London and the fans have been unceremonious, to say the least. Getting Willian off the books (if that is Arteta’s wish) then that would free up a big chunk of wages. It’s not looking like happening.

Then there are the younger fringe players in Reiss Nelson, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and Joe Willock. All three have shown a glimpse of their quality, with Willock in particular while on loan at Newcastle. A fee of around £20m is reportedly wanted from Arsenal to lure Willock to Tyneside.

Meanwhile the futures of both Nelson and Maitland-Niles are uncertain at best. Both have had loans away from the club and upon returning have not cemented their spots in the first team. Where this leaves the futures of both is unclear even if it appears apparent that Arteta sees both moving away from the Emirates.

Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka has been on the verge of a move to Roma since Romulus and Remus first discovered the city. His sale is needed to free up the funds to sign his replacement, and while someone who has shown his qualities on several occasions, Arsenal can’t even sell him for the bargain £17m price and are preparing to offer him a new contract.

With the calibre of players Arsenal has been linked with in James Maddison, Houssem Aouar, Ruben Neves, Martin Odegaard, and Bruno Guimaraes, it is paramount the Gunners clear some of the deadwood around the club.

Failure to do so will result in underperforming players on huge wages getting another season at the Emirates with no new blood coming into the club. But of equal importance is squad unity. Arsenal can ill-afford another scenario where players aren’t registered in time for the new Premier League season as the Sokratis/Mesut Ozil debacle last term did no favours to squad morale.

A vital August lies in wait for Arteta and Arsenal; quick and profitable departures out and an injection of quality in to raise the ceiling is non-negotiable. Otherwise, we can look forward to another season of mediocrity and this looms large for a club that desperately wants to return to its glory days.