Arsenal: 4 biggest transfer window questions remaining

With less than two weeks until Arsenal kick off the 2021/22 Premier League season at Brentford, several questions persist about the composition of the squad.

In their most recent warm-up game, a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, the Arsenal lineup (and performance) looked eerily similar to much of last season. Frankly, not much has changed around the Emirates. With the exception of Ben White, the team Mikel Arteta laid out will likely be the exact one to raise the curtain in less than two weeks’ time.

This is the team that has finished eighth in consecutive seasons.

While Nuno Tavares will provide competition for Kieran Tierney and Albert Sambi Lokonga is one to watch in midfield – perhaps on the opening day with Thomas Partey crocked – Ben White is the only signing thus far who can come in and have an instant impact. He already made a brilliant impression on Sunday.

Arsenal: 4 biggest transfer window questions remaining as Mikel Arteta sees similar-looking team fall to 2-1 defeat against Chelsea in Mind Series

So with the August 31 transfer deadline looming large, how many more changes can Edu and Arteta realistically make?

Here are four of the biggest questions they must still answer.

1. How Many Players Will Arsenal be Able To Sell?

This may prove to be the most important, as it is difficult to foresee many more additions without offloading several who are surplus to requirements.

First things first, there are the high earners such as Willian and Sead Kolasinac. Let’s be honest, we’d be lucky to receive a fee for either of them, but we need to do whatever possible to get them out the door and off the wage bill. There is also Lucas Torreira, who clearly wants a move elsewhere, so that one shouldn’t be as challenging.

He’s gone off the grid.

Furthermore, with no European football this season, there will be a lot less playing time to go around for academy products such as Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Perhaps most notably, a decision will have to be made on Joe Willock’s future after an impressive loan spell – do we cash in now or can he force his way into Arteta’s plans? Does anyone even have the money to buy him?

The bottom line is that at least several, if not all, of these players must be moved on in order for Arsenal to conduct further business this summer. This all without including Alexandre Lacazette, Hector Bellerin or Granit Xhaka.