Arsenal 2023 summer transfer window preview: Outgoings

The forward situation

While there are some players that fans expect (even hope) will be sold, there are also a couple of players that may leave that will disappoint some fans. Other than Xhaka and Tierney, this would likely come from the surplus of forwards that Arsenal may find themselves with by the end of the summer.

While we have all fallen in love with his super-sub abilities, Reiss Nelson is at the stage in his career where he might be looking for more regular playing time than what he is receiving at Arsenal. When you factor in that Arsenal will likely be looking to sign a RW this summer, his prospects of getting more playing time than he received this year look slim. However, the latest reports suggest Nelson will extend his stay in north London.

In the event of a Nelson exit, there may still be a desire to cash in another attacker this summer given the potential depth that Arsenal could have across the front three. If they were to sign a right-winger, Arsenal could be looking at (left to right) Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, Folarin Balogun, Bukayo Saka, (new right-winger) and Marquinhos to fill three positions. A couple of caveats to this would be if Smith Rowe started to see more time in the midfield or if one of the more fringe options were loaned.

If one of the above players were unhappy with their role or Arsenal were willing to cash in should the right deal materialize, it would likely be for one of Smith Rowe, Nketiah or Balogun.

Smith Rowe’s perceived value to most clubs is likely much lower than what Arsenal and the fans value him as given the difference between his 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 seasons. Looking at the depth chart, however, it’s hard to see how he gets a significant role if Martinelli and Trossard continue to play how they did this season. If he can transition to being a solid attack-minded midfielder that can play where Xhaka did this past season, then it would increase his chances of getting significant minutes, but we haven’t fully seen it yet. He likely wants nothing more than to win a role back with Arsenal as soon as possible, but if he starts to think the grass is greener on the other side, he could be enticed into leaving for another club. From Arsenal’s perspective, if a club offers something too good to pass up, they may consider letting him leave, but it’s pure speculation.

A more likely possibility would be one of Nketiah or Balogun being either loaned or sold. A healthy Jesus is the undisputed Arsenal starter and Trossard is looking like the second-best CF option heading into next season, so there may only be minutes for one of the two. If Nketiah is the one to leave, it would likely be a sell-to-loan or outright sell given that he’s already had his chance to show what he can do at Arsenal. If Balogun was the one to leave, I could see him being loaned again to continue to get consistent game time and hone his skills, unless somebody offers an obscene amount for him. Like having too much depth at any position, Arsenal’s potential depth in attack heading into next season is a good problem to have.

Don’t be surprised if Arsenal sell one of their forwards this summer to help fund another transfer.

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