With Arsenal now spending a hefty amount of money on new players to slot into Emery’s squad, there needs to be a swift removal of the deadwood left over from Wenger’s reign.
Here are seven players that Arsenal should sell this summer.
#7 Carl Jenkinson
Once regarded as the next big thing stemming from Arsenal’s British core alongside Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, Carl Jenkinson’s career has instead been on a downwards spiral due to a mixture of poor performances and a spate of injuries.
Things were still promising during the 2014-15 Premier League campaign that saw Jenkinson get loaned out to West Ham, where he made 32 appearances out of a possible 38. He would be sent there again the following season, featuring 20 times and scoring twice.
Jenkinson then returned to Arsenal and was given a couple of chances in the Football League Cup and handed an appearance in a single Premier League game, but failed to make a splash. He would spend the rest of that season with the Arsenal U-23s in the PL2 Division - only being included in seven matches, however.
One last ditch effort was made last season when Jenkinson was loaned out to Birmingham City in an attempt to reinvigorate his career. It would prove not to be, though, as he made only seven appearances, failing to adjust to the Championship’s fast pace.
Where might Carl Jenkinson go?
Unsurprisingly, no clubs have jumped at the opportunity to buy Carl Jenkinson this summer. There hasn’t been any speculation surrounding the player, either. The most likely destination for Jenkinson would be the Championship, or a mid-table side in a foreign league. Either way, it’s doubtful he’ll stay on the books at Arsenal for much longer.
#6 David Ospina
Now that Bernd Leno has signed for Arsenal, David Ospina is essentially unneeded. Petr Cech will undoubtedly be the second choice keeper, and Emiliano Martinez appears more than happy to be third choice, collecting his pay cheque each week whilst languishing in the reserves. Put simply, there is no room for Ospina at Arsenal anymore.
Ospina made five appearances for Arsenal last season, keeping two clean sheets.
Where might David Ospina go?
Ospina has been linked with a handful of clubs this summer, but the most likely destination for the 29-year-old is Argentinian side Boca Juniors. According to The Sun, Unai Emery is willing to accept a modest fee of £6m for the Colombian, despite him having two years left on his contract.
#5 Joel Campbell
Joel Campbell has been a fringe player at Arsenal for nearly seven years now. He was signed in 2011 from Saprissa for £900k and was sent out on loan that same month to FC Lorient. Upon his return next summer, he was shipped out again - this time to Real Betis. This would turn out to be a recurring theme for Campbell, being loaned out to Olympiacos, Villarreal, Sporting CP, and Real Betis over the next four seasons.
It’s quite clear that there isn’t a spot for Campbell in the Arsenal team and it’s highly doubtful that the 26-year-old will be part of Unai Emery’s plans this season. Emery should offload the deadwood sooner rather than later, as Campbell doesn’t meet the requirements to get into the starting eleven; he didn’t meet them seven years ago, and he doesn’t meet them now. Time to go.
Where might Joel Campbell go?
Joel Campbell himself had said back in February that he would like to secure a permanent switch to Real Betis this summer.
“My idea is to stay here for many years but those decisions are not mine, I have been lucky enough to enjoy lots of different clubs and leagues but I like it here.”
Campbell’s contract expires next year but he’s likely to be allowed to pursue a transfer to Betis or elsewhere as the Gunners have no need to keep hold of him.
#4 Chuba Akpom
Chuba Akpom is yet another Arsenal youngster that has never managed to break into the starting eleven. The only times he ever featured for the Gunners in the Premier League was back in the 2014-15 season, where he played three times.
Akpom has been sent out on loan to six clubs since he joined Arsenal in 2013.
If the 22-year-old wants to really kickstart his career, he needs to seek a move away from the Gunners this summer. He could slot easily into a Championship side and possibly make a name for himself at last. It’s unlikely that he’d beat the likes of Aubameyang or Lacazette to a spot in the first team anytime soon.
Where might Chuba Akpom go?
The Evening Standard reported in February that Belgian side STVV, where Akpom has been on loan at recently, want to secure the striker on a permanent deal.
Akom is valued at £1.2m, according to Transfermarkt, which is a fair price for a player who is yet to make any real impression at all.
#3 Danny Welbeck
Danny Welbeck never quite realised his potential at Arsenal. Instead of becoming the world-class striker he was predicted to be back when he played for Manchester United, he’s become a utility player for the Gunners, occasionally getting game time but never regarded as a first choice.
Last season Welbeck featured in 28 Premier League matches, which is the most appearances he’s had for Arsenal since joining in 2014. But despite the ample game time, Welbeck failed to make much of an impression, only scoring five and assisting two.
Welbeck is only ever going to be a back-up player at Arsenal. If he wants to revive his career he must make the switch elsewhere, preferably to a Premier League side where he’ll be the first choice forward.
Where might Danny Welbeck go?
Welbeck has been linked with Everton and Besiktas this summer, but nothing has proven to be more than speculation thus far. We know that Sam Allardyce had shown interest in the 27-year-old but no bid materialised. Personally, I believe that Welbeck will be signed by a mid-table Premier League side if he does choose to leave the Gunners this summer.
#2 Lucas Perez
Lucas Perez signed for Arsenal from Deportivo La Coruna in 2016 for £12.6m. Since joining Arsenal, he’s played a total of 11 Premier League matches and scored once. However, his 3 goals in 3 matches in the Champions League for the Gunners was a redeeming feature for the Spaniard.
At the start of last season, though, Perez was sent out on a season-long loan to the club he signed from (Deportivo). He featured heavily for the Spanish side with 35 appearances, scoring eight goals and assisting six.
It doesn’t take a genius to work out that Perez isn’t a great fit for the Premier League, nor a side like Arsenal. Where he plays the best football is La Liga, so surely, for the sake of his career, it would be wiser to seek a move there before next season begins.
Where might Lucas Perez go?
As stated above, if Arsenal were to allow Lucas Perez to leave this summer, Deportivo La Coruna would be his ideal destination - simply because of the great relationship he’s had with the club over the past few years.
However, Unai Emery would most likely aim to make a profit on the 29-year-old, so an offer would have to either meet his previous valuation of £12.6m or more.
#1 Takuma Asano
Who? Exactly.
Takuma Asano was supposedly the next big thing out of Japan when Wenger signed him in 2016, but he’s yet to even make a single appearance for the Gunners. Asano has been shipped out on loan the past couple of seasons to VfB Stuttgart, and then Hannover 96 respectively. Asano made 15 appearances for VfB Stuttgart and scored just once.
It’s clear that he’s not the player Wenger thought he was, and Unai Emery has probably already realised this after a brief squad check. With the 23-year-old valued at just £1.8m, it would be for the best if Arsenal offloaded him sooner rather than later, before his value depreciates any more.
Where might Takuma Asano go?
According to TalkSport, Hannover 96 are looking to secure Asano on a permanent deal following his season-long loan from the Gunners. This would be an ideal opportunity to get a dead weight player off of the books this summer and start fresh.
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