Why Arsenal still need to sell players this summer
Why Arsenal still need to sell players this summer: Mikel Arteta must’ve returned from the States with even more clarity over his vision for the 2022/23 season.
In a move that was questioned by some, the boss opted to leave youth at home and bring several players that the club are actively seeking to ship out on their US tour.
And while the Gunners enjoyed a hugely successful week across the Atlantic, winning all three of their games including a 4-0 rout of London rivals Chelsea, it wasn’t all plain sailing for Arteta’s men.
Sure, they might’ve won all three games comfortably and conceded just once, but they’d failed to produce a ‘complete’ display before they took on the Blues in the Florida Cup.
Once again, the fringe players failed to deliver as the Gunners struggled in spells against both Everton and Orlando City.
The drop-off between Arsenal’s strongest XI and their ‘second team’ is pretty staggering, and you suspect that it’s this depth issue that might cost them in 2022/23. But, there’s still time in the transfer window to discover solutions. Arsenal have been busy this summer, but the latest reports suggest that players will have to depart before anyone else comes in.
Why Arsenal still need to sell players this summer
Several players have been linked with moves away, and here are five that the Gunners simply have to get off their books in the coming weeks.
Bellerin didn’t play a massive role on the tour after captaining the side against FC Nurnberg, and his situation in north London is a weird one.
Arsenal are seemingly waiting for Real Betis to make a viable proposal for the Spaniard after he spent the 2021/22 season out on loan there, but such an offer is yet to arrive.
Bellerin isn’t a woeful footballer and he could be useful as a second/third string option, but he’s far cry from the athletic demon he once was and it’s hard to envisage Mikel viewing his compatriot as part of his plans for the upcoming season.
There’s a feeling of inevitably over Bellerin’s departure, with the player keen to return to Spain.
