Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has confirmed the departure of four players from his squad as part of a summer rebuild. This announcement comes in the wake of Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Southampton, which secured their position as runners up in the Premier League for the third consecutive year.
Despite their consistent performance, Arsenal has struggled to clinch the top spot in recent years. To bridge this gap and finally secure a championship under Arteta's leadership, significant changes will need to be made during the summer transfer window.
The Gunners' attack was notably weak this season due to injuries sustained by key players Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. This left them without any player registering double figures for goals - an unfortunate first in over 100 years.
Unlikely goalscorer emerges
In spite of these challenges, an unlikely hero emerged during Sunday’s match at St Mary’s. Left-back Kieran Tierney marked his final appearance for Arsenal with a rare goal. The Scotland international is expected to rejoin his former club Celtic as part of the upcoming changes.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, said:
‘I’m very happy. You want to start your holidays in the next few days with a good feeling, with a good vibe, seeing some smiley faces there. It was important to win it, it was important as well to say goodbye to a few players who have left our football club, to say thank you for their contribution.
‘Some of them, like Kieran, they’ve been on this journey for six years with us. Jorginho, we’re trying to hug him, Neto and Raheem as well. So, there are a few players that I had the duty to say thank you to. I think we all have and we wish them the best for the next season.
‘[Kieran] mentioned it yesterday, he said ‘I’m going to score in my last game’ and he’s certainly done it. It’s time to reflect, time to reset, and get our energy back. It’s been a really demanding season, a season that has stretched us all. But I think the culture and the mindset that we have at the football club have sustained everything to perform with the resources that we have at the highest level up to the last day, and I think that’s remarkable.’
Who else is leaving?
In addition to Tierney’s anticipated departure, other players are also set to leave Emirates Stadium. These include Jorginho and loan signings Raheem Sterling and goalkeeper Neto. Arteta has not yet revealed who will replace these departing players but it is clear that he intends on making significant changes ahead of next season.
As fans eagerly await news on potential new signings during this key transfer window period, one thing remains certain: change is coming at Arsenal Football Club. With four departures confirmed and more likely on the horizon, it seems that Arteta is committed to rebuilding his squad with fresh talent capable of taking them all the way to the top.
This summer's transfer window will undoubtedly be a pivotal time for Arsenal. The decisions made during this period could shape the club's future and determine whether they can finally break their streak as runners up in the Premier League. For sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts alike, these changes promise an exciting new chapter in Arsenal’s history.
