Arsenal: 7 crucial transfer departures to complete before deadline

Arsenal: 7 crucial transfer departures to complete

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on September 28, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Paul Ellis - Pool/Getty Images) /

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Arsenal’s English midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles (L) vies with Tottenham Hotspur’s Dutch midfielder Steven Bergwijn (R) during the pre-season friendly football match. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Someone who could actually be of use to Arsenal appears to in fact be of absolutely no use to Arsenal.

Is he a right-back or is he a midfielder? Who knows. Arteta doesn’t fancy him in either way having been left on the bench against the Bees, neither coming on in defence or in midfield to try and provide Arsenal with some attacking impetus.

It’s a sale that needs to happen but of all those on the chopping block, one that wouldn’t be surprising were he to stay. With Joe Willock gone and the midfield looking thin, especially when AFCON comes around, there may be scope for Ainsley Maitland-Niles to remain.

However, he only has two years left on his deal. Come next summer if he doesn’t pen a new contract his value will have dropped even further, and it’s unlikely he’ll want to sign a new deal given how bit-part his role will be in the coming campaign.

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