Arsenal: 6 contracts expiring in 2024 that need sorting out

Arsenal: 6 contracts expiring in 2024 to sort out

Arsenal's English midfielder Bukayo Saka (L), Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard (2L) and Arsenal's German-born Portuguese defender Cedric Soares (2R) congratulate goalscorer Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 13, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

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WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal in action during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on August 25, 2021 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

4. Nicolas Pepe

Oh Nicolas Pepe, why ever did Arsenal sign you?

The bottom line is that he will never be what Arsenal hoped he would be, and life at Arsenal will never be what he hoped it would be.

Entering into the final two years of his deal with only a handful of impressive performances to follow on from the same last season, the fact he cost a club record £72m makes the decision on his future intriguing. As scary as it sounds, him running down his deal and leaving for nothing feels like a distinct possibility.

It’s very evident that the manager doesn’t favour him. He’s not his player. Pepe, by no fault of his own, represents the miscalculated recruitment of the past. From a profile and technical level, he’s also not suited to Arteta’s brand of football. In other words there isn’t much going for him.

For the optics alone Arsenal have to accrue some kind of fee for him. For the bank balance, they are forced to.

Who will want him? More importantly, who will be willing to pay a fee that isn’t laughably below £72m? Indeed, nobody. What Arsenal need out wide is a technically secure and fast winger who is has distinctly more tactical intelligence and can play both sides. Pepe isn’t that.

Verdict: Sell (if at all possible)

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