5 Arsenal departures that are waiting to happen before the transfer window slams shut

While a lot of supporter focus has been on arrivals, with just over a fortnight to go until the transfer window closes, Andrea Berta surely has to be equally prioritising departures. Mikel Arteta's team began the new season by steamrollering Manchester City 3-0 in the FA Community Shield on Sunday; Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard the scorers at the Millennium Stadium.

Both before the game when the team news was announced, as well as durng the subsequent trophy celebrations, a lot of focus was on who Arteta had not included in his matchday squad. Even though nine substitutes were permitted, numerous senior first team players were not even on the bench, including Gabriel Martinelli, who we currently do not expect to depart.

However, in the case of others, many surely need to find a new home in the next couple of weeks, while could there also be a sale that the fanbase do not like one bit?

Gabriel Jesus

It is a crying shame because, when he first arrived, Gabriel Jesus was absolutely amazing. However, the knee injury he suffered at the World Cup against Cameroon, followed by his ruptured ACL against Manchester United in the FA Cup, simply mean that the 29 year old is no longer able to contribute at the elite level.

Jesus is currently the fourth choice striker, behind Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyökeres and Mikel Merino, so will surely have to be on the move. Well, following Romelu Lukaku's move to Fenerbahçe, Napoli are interested in signing the Brazilian. The Gunners are reportedly holding out for £20 million unlikely to get anywhere near that, so any fee and offloading Jesus' astronomical wages would be a success.

Reiss Nelson

Back in the summer of 2023, with that goal against Bournemouth fresh in the memory, Reiss Nelson signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal, earning a £100,00-per-week. Well, since then, he has started just one Premier League game for the club, loaned out to Fulham in 2024/25 and Brentford last season, not really establishing himself as a regular at either of those clubs.

So, which London club will Nelson represent next? That may sound like a joke, but reports claim that West Ham United are in talks over a potential £3 million move for Nelson. Wherever he goes, somewhere inside the M25 presumably, the 26 year old simply needs a permanent home.

Fábio Vieira

Even more than Nelson, Arsenal fans tuning into pre-season games could not believe that Fábio Vieira was back. Last season, the Portuguese attacking midfield was excellent on loan at Hamburg. He scored six goals and registered seven assists as die Rothosen comfortably avoided Bundesliga relegation. Thus, HSV remain desperate to have him back, but finances are a major issue.

As a newly-promoted club, having endured seven seasons in the Zweite Bundesliga, Hamburg simply could not afford to pay his €20 million option to buy. So, die Rothosen are hoping to sign up Vieira at a cut price, but this isn't great for Arsenal, considering they signed him for €40 million in the first place.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

The only player on this list who was on the bench in Cardiff is Kepa Arrizabalaga, but for how much longer will he be an Arsenal player? Whatever happens, among Gooners, the Spaniard will always be remembered as the man who cost Arsenal the EFL Cup Final against Manchester City. This summer, with David Raya on holiday following the World Cup, the 31 year old had a chance to stake a claim.

On the contrary, he did the exact opposite, making numerous errors, most egregiously flapping at a corner, flattening Kai Havertz in the process, and allowing Rodrigo Riquelme to open the scoring for Real Betis in Dublin. Every Kepa error was good news for new signing Illan Meslier, who is currently third choice, but might get bumped up. Arrizabalaga has a £5 million release clause, and Arsenal are fully prepared to let him go, it is just a question of who would buy him?

Ethan Nwaneri

Lastly, but most noteworthy of all, it appears as though the Arsenal hierarchy are seeking one marquee sale. Reports have circulated that Berta, or at least via intermediaries, having been shopping around Martinelli and Myles Lewis-Skelly but, if someone the entire fan base adores is going to be sacrificed, it's always felt most likely to be Ethan Nwaneri.

The teenager was one of those not named among the substitutes for the Community Shield, but was in attendance. During the trophy presentation, from our vantage point at least, he looked rather annoyed. Nwaneri's loan to Olympique de Marseille in January was a total disaster, loved by Roberto De Zerbi, only for him to be sacked a few weeks later, then rarely featuring under Habib Beye.

Midfield is also the most jam-packed area of the squad so, while no supporter wants to see Nwaneri sold, given his immense talent, this could be a decision Berta and his team make, if an enormous offer were to arrive.

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