Arsenal: 4 defenders who could leave in January transfer window

Despite not securing a point, let alone three, January has got off to a positive start for Arsenal. This young side went toe to toe with the best team in the division and key moments cost them dearly.

It’s a defeat that hurts. But one that hurts for the right reasons.

There is only so long that the team can analyse the performance based on those pivotal incidents. Where Arsenal lost this game is clear and every other aspect of the display was magnificent both in preparation and application.

So, we move on, to the January transfer window. Of course.

Arsenal: 4 defenders who could leave in January transfer window as Mikel Arteta eyes departures for fringe players to free up space in squad

This is the other interesting aspect of what is set to be an action-packed month where Arsenal will compete in three different competitions. Already the rumours are swirling around Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future and it is departures that look set to take centre stage.

Players leaving invariably means players coming in, but in the defensive side of the squad there are a few individuals who could depart without the need to reinforce as a result.

Seeing the team’s identity on and off the pitch is a source of immense excitement and pride. There are, however, a few within the group who do not appear to be part of that vision moving forward. A substantial amount of work has been undertaken to get Arsenal to where they are now, but it’s not over.

There are four defenders who may well be moved on this window. While it’s unlikely that all four will be moved on simultaneously, and some are closer to the exit door than others, the futures of this quartet could be elsewhere come February.

1. Sead Kolasinac

Age: 28
Contract expiry: June 2022
Rumoured wages: £100k-per-week
Potential suitors: Watford, Fenerbahce

The most obvious one of all.

No player at the club embodies the Arsenal of old more than Sead Kolasinac. He is entirely dispensable and his departure wouldn’t have any impact on the side other than saving Arsenal a considerable amount of money.

Under contract until the end of the season, were he to leave in January he would save over £2m in wages. As it stands that money is set to be paid out without so much as an appearance to show for it across the rest of the season. Even with the FA Cup tie with Nottingham Forest to come, Arsenal have two left-backs ahead of him in the pecking order. Fortunately he is back in training after an injury now, which should help negotiations.

Watford have rather surprisingly thrown their hat into the ring with Claudio Ranieiri registering an interest in the Bosnian, a move that would more than suit Arsenal. Everything points to another contract cancellation, something that has been normalised in north London, unless someone enters with an offer.

Now able to negotiate pre-contract agreements abroad, a foreign move appears most likely. However, there is only so long he will be content with not playing and the hope is there that some offers come in for him.

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2. Calum Chambers

Age: 26
Contract expiry: June 2022
Rumoured wages: £50k-per-week
Potential suitors: Everton

From impressively wrestling his way past Hector Bellerin and Cedric Soares in the right-back pecking order last season, Calum Chambers is now a forgotten man in north London.

Thought to potentially be either first choice at the club this season or second at the least, he’s now barely even third pick. Given the option, Arteta is more likely to call on Benjamin White to fill that role than the 26-year-old.

Breaking a 13-game sequence of not being involved in a Premier League squad to make the bench against Leeds, only when absences occur is he anywhere near featuring for Arsenal. He isn’t even getting the nod in Carabao Cup matches.

Versatile, homegrown, and still at a good age for a defender, there will be some clubs around the lower reaches of the Premier League or perhaps in the division below who would be willing to take Chambers on – and Arsenal would be unlikely to stand in his way if so. He is another defender who doesn’t need replacing if he departs.

Under contract until the summer, there is an option to extend Chambers’ deal by a further 12 months, one that Arsenal are not said to have taken up yet. If a buyer is found then they will surely activate it to garner a bigger fee.

Boasting three players to play the position, the only considerations for not moving Chambers on will depend on the departures of other homegrown options in order to meet Premier League quotients. Otherwise, he is free to go.

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3. Pablo Mari

Age: 28
Contract expiry: 2024
Rumoured wages: £85k-per-week
Potential suitors: Flamengo

Appalling in the first two matches of the season – he was fairly dreadful all throughout pre-season as well – it has been a tale of misfortune for Pablo Mari ever since.

Losing his place in the team for obvious and unarguable reasons, when the cup matches have come around for the Spaniard he’s either been unavailable with injury or out with Covid. The few opportunities where Arsenal can vaguely rely on him have passed him by.

Such is his fall from grace (more like stepping down off a curb), Rob Holding has been regularly selected to play at left centre-back instead of Mari. Even when there is such emphasis on balance in areas of the pitch like central defence, the only other left-footed option can’t get a sniff.

Is there a possibility he could leave? Flamengo seem to be trying, at least.

Understandably Mari will want out of the club with just the solitary matchday inclusion since gameweek six, and his former employers are said to be keen on bringing him back to Brazil.

With only four recognised centre-backs in the squad, losing one may not seem like the wisest idea as injury could strike at any moment. However, Takehiro Tomiyasu is more than comfortable at left centre-back where he plays for his country, and even Holding has looked solid enough filling in there.

There is always an element of risk involved in depleting your defensive numbers mid-season without signing a replacement, but were a bid to come in it would be hard to see Arsenal turning it down.

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4. Cedric Soares

Age: 30
Contract expiry: 2024
Rumoured wages: £75k-per-week
Potential suitors: Ummm…..

Never say never in the transfer window, but maybe say….maybe?

Of all the four defenders who could leave Arsenal in January, Cedric Soares is definitely the least likely of the lot. The one aspect that does boost his chances of moving on slightly is that he’s actually playing football.

Any potential suitor will be more keen on the guy who isn’t just an extra body in training. The downside? His lengthy contract situation, wages, and that he’s 30 years old. He is also not great, either. That doesn’t help.

Of the four it’s Cedric who Arteta appears more keen to hold onto: he values his professionalism and clearly holds his ability in moderately high regard.

From the fans’ perspective they would be very keen on Cedric leaving. He’s another one of Kia Joorabchian’s client and the sooner people like him are out of the club in every conceivable way, the better.

As far as interested clubs, the only known sides who’ve registered any willingness to sign Cedric are a handful in Turkey. There were rumours in the previous window, although on each occasion it was stated that Cedric’s intention was always to stay at Arsenal and fight for his place. Who wouldn’t? It’s a cosy life with good money, nice colleagues and a healthy contract to sit on.

We can hope, however, that the situation changes. But it’s not much more than hope.