Arsenal are looking to offload four fringe players who failed to make the squad for their Community Shield win over Manchester City on Sunday. The Gunners kicked off their campaign by thrashing their Premier League title rivals 3-0, with Mikel Arteta's squad giving a hint at potential transfer exits.
Players left out of matchday squad
While all eyes were on new signings Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis, who made their competitive debuts in Cardiff, Arteta's squad said plenty about those not included. Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri, Marli Salmon, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson were all missing from the matchday squad.
Martinelli is the subject of interest from Galatasaray who have tabled a bid worth €45million (£38m) for the striker, who is reportedly not keen on moving to Turkey. The Brazilian forward has entered the final year of his contract, but appears likely to stay put unless a different transfer proposal emerges.
Interest from Hamburg, West Ham, Napoli
Salmon is a 16-year-old defender who has made four first-team appearances for Arsenal, but will have to remain patient for further opportunities. The other four players who were uninvolved at the weekend could be sold before the September 1 transfer deadline.
The Athletic reports that Vieira and Nelson are the subject of interest from Hamburg and West Ham respectively after spending last season away on loan. Meanwhile, Napoli are keen to sign Jesus, who is in the final 12 months of his deal, and the Gunners could reluctantly part company with Nwaneri too.
Arteta's frustration over squad size
Nwaneri faces a challenge to get minutes in Arsenal's stacked midfield and there is a grudging realisation that a transfer may be the best outcome, especially as the homegrown player would count as pure profit on the balance sheet. The 19-year-old spent last season on loan with Marseille and AC Milan and Galatasaray are among the clubs to formally make enquiries this summer.
The competition for places at Arsenal has led to the club needing to offload fringe players, with Arteta frustrated that he can't include more players on the substitutes' bench.
“It’s really sad not to have their availability,” Arteta told TNT Sports after the win. “I’ve been fighting with the Premier League to extend and accommodate more players in the squad because they deserve to be in the squad, there’s no question.
“Ethan and Marli as well, who has had the whole pre-season with us. Hopefully we can change that rule so players can enjoy on the pitch and can be an option to play and contribute to the team going forward.”
Sales needed to fund new signings
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is working hard to try and agree some sales, with Leandro Trossard (Besiktas), Jakub Kiwior (Porto), Karl Hein (Werder Bremen) and Christian Norgaard (Everton) the only players have left the club for transfer fees this summer.
Sales are needed to help fund incoming deals for a central defender to provide cover for the injured William Saliba and world-class attacker.
