Arsenal have released eight players and are actively working on six new signings as manager Mikel Arteta prepares to defend the Premier League title, according to reports from the Mirror and Daily Mail.
Eight Players Depart
On Wednesday, July 1, eight players officially left the Emirates after their contracts expired: Sam Chapman, Harrison Dudziak, Seb Ferdinand, Cam'ron Ismail, Will Lannin-Sweet, Josh Nichols, Samuel Onyekachukwu, and Alexei Rojas-Fedorushchenko. The club had previously announced plans to part ways with several academy prospects this summer.
Additionally, defender Jakub Kiwior has permanently joined Porto following a loan spell, and goalkeeper Karl Hein has moved to Werder Bremen.
Six Transfers in the Works
Arsenal have completed only one signing so far this summer: Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapie for £34.5 million from Bayer Leverkusen. Hincapie spent last season on loan at the Emirates.
Director Andrea Berta and head of scouting Maurizio Micheli are reportedly working on six other deals. According to the Daily Mail, Berta typically works on multiple deals simultaneously, casting a wide net before narrowing options.
Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers and Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola are primary targets to strengthen the left flank, as Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli have been linked with departures. Bayer Leverkusen's Kerim Alajbegovic is also being considered for wide areas, while Greece striker Christos Tzolis has been presented to the club by Genk.
In midfield, Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes are the frontrunners. Arsenal have reportedly had two bids for Guimaraes turned down, the second valued at £55 million.
