Three Players Arsenal Could Sell

With Arsenal lining up arrivals, it’s time they looked about at players they should get rid of this summer. For the first-time in recent memory, Arsenal have a squad that is full of depth and able to compete, hopefully, on all fronts.

The imminent arrivals of Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy add great talent to the squad, while Arsenal are still looking to bring in a goalkeeper, centre-back, defensive midfielder and a striker. What this does mean, is that for some players their time at the club may have come to an end.

The three players listed below have all been linked with an exit from North London this summer and it’s not a bad idea for any of them, as Arsenal can free up funds to capture higher profile targets in their other areas of the squad that need adding too.

1. Thomas Vermaelen

The club captain has started to disappear without a trace, with poor form and injuries adding to a difficult season for the Belgian. Vermaelen has lost his place in the first-team to the solid defensive partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesaker, which he’s unlikely to break anytime soon.

Manchester United have reportedly been chasing the Belgian defender and, although that move isn’t ideal, if they offer the right price it would have been to considered. The problem with a departure for Vermaelen is that it would mean the Gunners have to find two central defenders for their squad, as they would be left with two and even three is not enough for a long-season campaign

2. Mikel Arteta

When Arteta arrived from Everton he was an instant success and his performances since then have been great. Our current vice-captain has served us well since arriving from Merseyside- but the development of younger players and new arrivals have resulted in Arteta playing a deep role, which he is not suited too.

Arteta is much better and more effective in an attacking position but he is unlikely to get that chance again at Arsenal with the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mesut Ozil ahead of him. Arteta in defensive midfield isn’t good enough and, should he stay there, it could prove detrimental to our season.

Should someone make an approach for Arteta, it should definitely be pushed through as the small sum received could help fund a move for a natural central-defender.

3. Santi Cazorla

This is the one player that may raise a few eyebrows, particularly after his contribution to help Arsenal lift the FA Cup final last season as his superb free-kick put the Gunners back on track after crumbling early on. However, over the course of the season, Cazorla was underachieving.

Injuries player their part but another factor was the arrival of Mesut Ozil, which pushed Cazorla into a wide role where he is far less effective. On the flanks he clearly isn’t comfortable and, with Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lukas Podolski and, hopefully, Alexis Sanchez, Cazorla isn’t guaranteed first-team football.

Atletico Madrid are believed to be keen in the Spanish international and we would be able to command a fairly large fee for the signature of Cazorla, which would be very good business indeed.