3 loan players that must be sold this summer

Loan moves can do wonders for both players and clubs.

Getting game time, especially after a long time on the bench, is crucial for a player to regain their confidence while increasing the potential transfer fee that the club can secure.

Loan deals are primarily used for young players coming through the ranks. At bigger clubs, game time is hard to come by, necessitating temporary moves for promising youngsters to other teams.

Last season, however, Arsenal used loan moves for some of their experienced players as well. This was done in hope of raising their value as opposed to having them wasting away on the sideline given the club’s lighter schedule.

A busy summer is ahead in north London, and the Gunners need as many funds as they can after missing out on Champions League football to ensure that the current squad can be sufficiently upgraded.

3 loan players that Arsenal must sell this summer

Here are three loan players that must be sold permanently this summer.

1. Pablo Mari

Pablo Mari was loaned to Udinese in the January transfer window. This was part of Arteta’s desire to keep a smaller, tighter knit squad.

Few can argue that the defence was formidable in the second half of the season. As the injuries piled up, the clean sheet concept completely escaped the Gunners as their backline struggled down the stretch. Despite their issues, there’s no doubting that Mari isn’t the solution.

Initially, he seemed like he could improve the backline greatly. Tall, assertive in the air and decent on the ball, there was much to like. Over time, however, his weaknesses came to light. He simply does not have the physical profile to be effective in the current set up.

He’s painfully slow when turning and racing back towards his own goal. He also struggles with tricky wingers. Under Mikel Arteta, the central defenders are often asked to defend in space, covering distances to opposition players quickly to sniff out dangerous transitions. Mari would be skinned alive if left to close out a Wilfried Zaha or Allan Saint-Maximin.

The Spaniard is a good centre back. Unfortunately for him, not good enough.

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