Arsenal put six first-team players ‘up for sale’ in Mikel Arteta’s most ruthless act yet

Arsenal may put six players ‘up for sale’ as Mikel Arteta looks to trim his squad next summer.

Mikel Arteta, 42, faced a rough patch with Arsenal leading up to the November international break but has seen a turnaround in recent games. The Gunners secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League and followed it up with an impressive 5-1 Champions League win against Sporting Club.

Arteta is known for maintaining a consistent starting XI, but changes could be on the horizon. Reports suggest that up to six players may leave the club in the summer of 2025. Recent signings like David Raya, Riccardo Calafiori, and Mikel Merino, along with loan additions Neto and Raheem Sterling, bolstered the squad last summer.

However, the departures of Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Aaron Ramsdale, Mohamed Elneny, Cedric Soares, and Arthur Okonkwo signaled a significant reshuffle. Meanwhile, players such as Reiss Nelson, Fabio Vieira, Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, and Karl Hein were loaned out.

Arteta’s reliance on youth has been evident this season, with prospects like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly making regular appearances in first-team squads. This shift could indicate the club’s long-term strategy.

Several experienced players have struggled for game time, including Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has made just seven appearances, and Gabriel Jesus, who has scored only once in 16 outings, often playing second to Kai Havertz. According to *The Athletic*, both Zinchenko and Jesus could depart in 2025. Other potential exits include Polish defender Jakub Kiwior, who may seek regular first-team football, as well as Lokonga and Nelson, who are expected to leave permanently. Tavares is also likely to make his loan move to Lazio permanent.

Additionally, Thomas Partey’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, making his release a possibility as Arsenal looks to reshape its squad.