Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has sent a warning to several of his stars that the current squad is too big and will need to be trimmed before the start of the new season. The Gunners took a 30-man squad away for their pre-season tour of the US and have since returned, with the Spaniard able to assess each player before the 2023-24 campaign begins.
Arteta has already claimed that the ideal squad size is much lower than what he currently has at his disposal, with around 23 players often used by the top clubs. The Spanish boss insisted that the current squad number is “unsustainable” as he hinted that sales will be made.
“Well, we have 30 players here which is unsustainable,” Arteta said. “Obviously, the market is still open and things can happen. We are prepared. I’m really happy with the squad we have at the moment. We have improvements to make in terms of what we want to do in games and we still have to do that. Overall really pleased with the team.
Here, Express Sport has looked at the five players that could be axed from Arteta’s plans for the coming season before the transfer window closes.
Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun was rarely used throughout pre-season owing to an injury concern, but he represents Arsenal’s biggest opportunity to land a large fee for one of their fringe players. After an impressive Reims loan, the young USA international wants to be a first-choice striker but he is unlikely to get his wish with Gabriel Jesus also at the club.
Inter Milan are one of several clubs interested in his services and are reportedly prepared to offer £34million, but Arsenal value the 22-year-old closer to £50m. With the striker seemingly happy to leave and could fetch a high fee, Arteta may feel that it makes sense to axe Balogun.
Cedric Soares
Cedric Soares was deemed surplus to requirements when he was sent out on loan to Fulham in January, but he failed to secure a permanent move. Now, with the addition of Jurrien Timber he has fallen even further down the pecking order and could leave the Emirates.
He was left out of the 30-man travelling squad to America in a clear indication that he is not in Arteta’s plans, with Villarreal in addition to Benfica, Porto and Sporting interested. Assuming a deal can be reached between clubs and the 31-year-old is content on personal terms, an exit this summer is more than likely.
Albert Sambi Lokonga
Having also been forced to spend pre-season at home and not with the travelling party due to injury, Albert Sambi Lokonga may be set to join the impending exodus in north London. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Crystal Palace but it remains to be seen whether they would want to bring him back for another year.
Lokonga does have one admirer in Vincent Kompany, as the Burnley boss helped him break into the limelight during their time together at Anderlecht and a reunion at Turf Moor should not be ruled out.
Nuno Tavares
Arsenal’s left-back situation remains unclear but Nuno Tavares has struggled to break into the team under Arteta. He was on loan at Marseille last year while the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu operated in his role.
Even Jakub Kiwior has shown their capabilities at left-back, further reducing the need for Tavares.