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Arsenal endured a disappointing 2020-21 season with Mikel Arteta and his group of players subject to intense criticism after some extremely poor performances.
The club will have to get a lot of things right this summer. Arsenal were linked heavily with Norwich City's Emiliano Buendia, but the Argentine ultimately joined Aston Villa. The move is yet another sign that clubs outside the Premier League's traditional "top-six" are growing in strength, and Arsenal will have to match that ambition.
Many players have already been linked with the club, including the likes of James Maddison, Max Aarons and Albert Sambi Lokonga. Arsenal will have to act quickly as far as transfers are concerned.
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With a big overhaul set to take place at the Emirates, certain players will leave the club in the summer.
5 Players who are unlikely to receive opportunities at Arsenal in the 2021-22 campaign
#5 Eddie Nketiah
A highly-rated talent during his days in the Arsenal academy, Eddie Nketiah has found game time hard to come by in the first XI during the 2020-21 season.
The 22-year old was a squad player for Mikel Arteta's side in the season gone by. He made just 4 league starts, scoring two goals and providing an assist. While the talent is evident, Nketiah could do with a change in scenery. It looks unlikely that he will get ahead of the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Bukayo Saka and even Nicolas Pepe in the Arsenal first-team.
West Ham United, Bayer Leverkusen and Crystal Palace are said to be interested in signing the England U21 international. Nketiah has previously spent some time on loan at Leeds United in the Championship.
Also Read: Euro 2020: 5 players who could impress in unfamiliar positions
#4 Hector Bellerin
Like Eddie Nketiah, Hector Bellerin came through the Arsenal academy and for a time it looked like Arsenal had found a permanent fixture at the right-back spot for the next decade.
However, Bellerin suffered a serious knee injury in 2019, and has struggled for consistency in form since then. Renowned for his pace, the Spain international was not a constant starter last season for Arsenal as Arteta utilised the likes of Cedric Soares and Calum Chambers in the right-back position.
Bellerin made 24 starts in the Premier League last season, scoring one goal and providing two assists. The 26-year old has been persistently linked with a move away from Arsenal for some time now, with Villarreal, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Betis suggested as possible destinations.
#3 Cedric Soares
Eyebrows were raised when Arsenal signed Cedric Soares on loan from Southampton in January 2020, and there were mixed reactions when he signed a permanent deal with the club that summer.
Capable of playing in both full-back positions, Cedric was signed to provide some much-needed strength and depth. The Portugal international has enjoyed some solid performances at Arsenal but, like Nketiah, only played limited minutes during the 2020-21 season.
Cedric made just eight Premier League starts for Arsenal last season, providing one assist. The 29-year old was not included in the Portugal squad for Euro 2020 and it seems unlikely that he will be a starter for Arsenal next season.
#2 Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka's relationship with the Arsenal fan base is complex, to say the least. While the quality is visible, certain aspects of his play tend to frustrate Arsenal's fans.
The Switzerland international joined Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016 for £40.5 million. An excellent passer, Xhaka's temperament has often come under question, with he has endured some controversial moments since he signed for Arsenal.
The 28-year old is likely to leave Arsenal in the summer. Xhaka has been heavily linked with a move to Roma and reports suggest that a transfer could take place soon.
#1 William Saliba
It is hard to understand why Arsenal paid £27 million to acquire William Saliba in 2019 if they had no intention of using him in the first place.
One of the best young centre-backs in Ligue 1, Saliba was in high demand when Arsenal swooped in to sign him from Saint-Etienne. There were high expectations when he arrived at Arsenal in 2020, but he was not even included in the club's squad for the season.
The 20-year old joined Nice on loan in January this year, and did really well with the Ligue 1 side. With Arsenal rumoured to be interested in signing Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Ben White, it would be better for Saliba to look for a fresh start elsewhere.
Also Read: 5 Chelsea stars who need to leave to further their career
