Arsenal are set to allow two wingers walk away from the Emirates Stadium – leaving Bukayo Saka as the only major senior right-winger at the club
(Image credit: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Arsenal are set to let two players who can deputise for Bukayo Saka on the right wing leave in the next couple of weeks.
England international Saka is the only player in the Premier League to have played in all 38 fixtures for the past two seasons running. He is also the only Arsenal player to have done so in history – and he still doesn't turn 22 until September.
The statistic highlights his importance to manager Mikel Arteta but despite the lack of serious competitors to challenge him for his position on the right of the front three, the Basque boss now appears to be getting rid of the only two stars who could possibly alleviate his workload.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is having a clearout on the right wing (Image credit: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Last season, Arsenal retained young Brazilian winger Marquinhos as an option for the Europa League before sending him on loan to Norwich in January. According to L'Equipe, that won't be the plan this time in the Champions League, with the starlet heading out to Nantes for another season on loan.
A €12 million option to purchase with a €22million buyback clause was said to be discussed, though no such details are to be included in the final deal.
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While Marquinhos was perhaps promoted to Arsenal's first team a little earlier than expected last season due to the loan exit of Nicolas Pepe, the Ivorian won't be returning to see out the final year of his Emirates Stadium deal this time around.
The Expresssay that the former Gunners record signing has agreed terms with Besiktas. The Turkish outfit and Pepe's agent would both like Arsenal to terminate the contract 12 months early, though the north Londoners would obviously prefer to agree a fee.
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Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe's exit is imminent (Image credit: Getty)
That leaves the likes of youth products Ethan Nwaneri and Amario Cozier-Duberry as the primary options as left-footers on the right flank, while Reiss Nelson, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli can all play there in a pinch.
As per The Athletic, the Gunners have agreed a move for David Raya and now seem unlikely to bring in a fifth signing until significant outgoings have been confirmed.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
