Ex-Gunners man names players he would like out of Emirates Stadium
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has provided his insight on players he believes should leave the club this summer, including Nicolas Pepe, in order to strengthen the squad.
Smith suggests that the Gunners should consider offloading several players to make way for new signings and improve the team’s chances of success.
Smith specifically highlights Folarin Balogun, who has attracted interest from foreign clubs, and acknowledges that the young forward may need to seek opportunities elsewhere in order to secure regular playing time.
🚨 Alan Smith Casts Doubts on Kieran Tierney's Fit in Arteta's System
⚽️ Smith, speaking to Gambling Zone, suggested a style mismatch: "It seems that he's not quite an Arteta player in terms of his playing style, but as a personality, he is."
🔁 As transfer rumours swirl, Smith… pic.twitter.com/3u8wnTyGK2
— Arsenal Informer (@ars_informer) July 10, 2023
The player turned pundit/commentator told Gambling Zone, “From Balogun’s point of view, he will be thinking more about how much game time he’s going to get… he may have to leave the football club.”
Regarding Nicolas Pepe, the Englishman believes that the London side should attempt to recoup some of the £72 million they spent on the Ivorian winger. Smith stated, “Nicolas Pepe, I haven’t seen too much about him in the papers regarding a move…it’d be great to recoup some of that because I don’t think Arteta is a massive fan.”
The 60yo further recommends the departures of Rob Holding, Nuno Tavares, and Albert Sambi Lokonga. He suggests that Holding, while a valued team player, may not possess the required level of ability to meet Arsenal’s ambitions.
🚨| Arsenal are exploring the "potential exit routes" for Nicolas Pépé, Folarin Balogun, Albert Sambi-Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and Cédric Soares.
[via @markmcadamtv]. pic.twitter.com/S4xkv5hBkl
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 3, 2023
Smith added, “Holding is great in the dressing room…but he is probably a level below where you need to be for Arsenal.”
As for Tavares and Lokonga, two promising youngsters, the former striker, who scored 101 goals for Arsenal, while also racking up three for England, believes their potential departures could create space in the squad for new signings.
He stated, “Players like Tavares and Lokonga, promising youngsters, could move on. Arteta certainly does need to get two or three players off of the wage bill.”
Smith further went onto suggest that Kieran Tierney, despite being highly regarded by Arsenal fans, may need to seek a move elsewhere to secure more playing time. Smith said, “It seems that he’s not quite an Arteta player in terms of his playing style… Defensively, one against one, he is better than Zinchenko… he might leave the club.”
By offloading these players, the Reds could not only create space in the squad but also generate funds to reinvest in new signings.
Smith’s recommendations align with Arteta’s desire to reshape the squad and build a team capable of challenging for major honors in the upcoming season. It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will heed Smith’s advice, but his insights provide an interesting perspective on potential player movements at the club.
Personally I agree with Smith in almost all occasions. Apart from one case that is of Nuno Tavares. If Tierney departs the Emirates Stadium, having the Portuguese as a back-up and a different option to Zinchenko would only make Arsenal a more unpredictable side.
Do you agree?
Writer –Yash Bisht
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I agreed and disagreed with some of Allan Smith’s takes on Arsenal offloading some of their first teamers this summer.
For instance, at the ledtback position in the team, Arteta should imo retain Thirney as his orthodox left wingback. As he keeps Zinchenko as his inverted leftback. The two styles should be for inclusive options use in the team. Who he could need to deploy in games as the season campaign progresses against different kind of opposition teams of high pressing and low block. But keep, reloan or sell Tavares to sign a new top quality ledtback for options and to provide cover at ledtback positio this summer.
I would keep Tierney as he is a very good left back and more comfortable in that position than Zinchenko.
The others i would be happy to see leave.
All the talk of who should be sold off should come AFTER we have actually signed some players 😐
Tavares in a few yrs is best in that LB position. Tierney should be sold has no chance against either Tavares or Zinny.
Sell Tierney to balance books..
Please buy tchouameni.. Best DM in the league without fail.
Tavares is too undisciplined for Arsenal, at least at the moment.
I would let him go too.
Instead, I would keep Lakonga and try to loan him to Burnley. I would also try to loan ESR to Burnley.
I think both players will get game time and EPL experience under a good manager
Chief benchwarmer Elneny is surplus to requirement and must be moved on to seek regular playing time somewhere else.