New Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is set to begin a rebuilding process at the North London club by selling some players in the summer. Senior players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil are likely to be sold to give room for new signings.
FutballNews understands that the Gunners’ lack of progress has been a source of concern for Arteta since his appointment at the Emirates Stadium. The Spaniard has found it difficult to turn the club’s fortunes around after a poor start to the season. Arsenal currently occupies the10th position in the Premier League table and are in danger of missing out on European football next season
According to the Sun, Arteta has not been too impressed with the squad he inherited since joining the club. He also believes that a major overhaul of the squad is needed after assessing the players for two months. The Gunners boss has reportedly accepted that he will have to sell a number of the club’s top earners to be able to bring in new faces in the summer.
Aubameyang, Ozil, and defenders such as Shkodran Mustafi, David Luiz and Sokratis are in their final 18 months of their current deals and Head of Football Raul Sanllehi has reportedly warned Arteta that players will not be allowed to leave the club for free.
Although Arteta is hopeful that top-scorer and club captain Aubameyang will commit his future to the club by signing a new contract. But all negotiations have been put on hold until the end of the season, when the club will have a clearer understanding of their financial situation.
The Arsenal captain is aware of Barcelona’s interest and the Spanish club’s sporting director, Eric Abidal said: ‘I know Aubameyang.
‘He is important and, in his team, he is decisive. It is logical that, in the summer, a “nine” will come. We know that Luis Suarez will come back strong (from a knee injury), but you have to bring a top player in the summer.
‘There is a list of players like Olivier Giroud, Fernando Llorente or Aubameyang but we decided not to sign someone in January.’
If the former Borussia Dortmund forward is able to agree on fresh terms, Arsenal could be prepared to cash-in on Lacazette, whose contract does not expire until 2022. The Frenchman has struggled to impress for the Gunners this season and has scored just one league goal since the start of December.
