New Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has already started a long-overdue rebuild at the club just weeks after his appointment into the permanent managerial role.
He was the chosen one for the job after the Gunners board made the decision to pull the plug on ex-Almeria tactician and his compatriot Unai Emery.
Arteta is expected to be backed on new players this summer with latest reports claiming that two midfielders and one centre back are at the top of the transfer shortlist for the North Londoners. The Spaniard was unable to do much in the January transfer market as the Gunners were handicapped for the fear of FFP (Financial Fair Play) but the club still managed to sign two players on loan.
Brazilian club Flamengo released Spanish centre back Pablo Mari on loan for the Gunners for a fee or around £4m until this summer when he can be signed outrightly for £8m, while Portuguese right-back Cedric Soares has joined for a loan fee of £1m from Southampton of the Premier League. Cedric Soares would be a free agent by this summer thus paving the way for Arsenal to sign him on a free transfer if he impresses at the Emirates Stadium.
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As incomings are expected at Arsenal this summer, some players could leave the club as part of the clearout under Arteta. Here are some of the players likely to leave:
1. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The Arsenal skipper is a major target for Spanish club Barcelona as his future at Arsenal is doubtful. He has just one year left on his Arsenal deal.
2. Sokratis Papasthathopoulos
The Greek international has lost his place at centre back to Shkrodan Mustafi and he could move further down the pecking order with the loan acquisition of the aforementioned Pablo Mari.
3. Henrikh Mkhitaryan
The Armenian playmaker is on loan at AS Roma and he’s expected to leave Arsenal this summer with one year left on his current deal.
