Arsene Wenger’s future remains up in the air at present, and while he is known for not liking too change much in personnel in a short time at Arsenal, the club may not have too much choice this summer.
Every one of you readers will be aware of the ongoing reports linking Alexis Sanchez with the exit door, with the Chilean believed to have told team-mates that he wants to leave, as well as the fact that he is entering the final 12 months of his contract this summer.
He is not the only player entering the final year of his deal at the end of the season however, and unless extensions can be agreed before the transfer window closes on August 31. we could be forced into further transfer sagas.
Mesut Ozil has this week backtracked on comments which implied he was seeking assurances over the future of Arsene Wenger before considering a new contract, and we would be relieved to see him extend his time with the club in the near future.
One player who has so far refused to talk about his intentions for next season is Jack Wilshere, who is currently enjoying a spell on loan with fellow Premier League side AFC Bournemouth. Jack has made it perfectly clear that he is solely concentrated on his temporary side’s season, prioritising their importance over Arsenal’s, and with many teams supposedly eyeing his signature, he may well force a summer exit also.
There is four more players who you are most likely unaware of that have less than 18 months remaining tied to our club. Carl Jenkinson is the least important squad member in that bracket, and his exit will have very little impact on our team-sheet.
Kieran Gibbs is also on that list, and we have been on the lookout for his potential replacement for some time now. He is our only senior back-up to Nacho Monreal at left-back currently, but at 26, he may be keen on leaving in search of more regular action.
Aaron Ramsey is also out of contract in 2018, and being a favourite of Arsene Wenger, may well question his importance to Arsenal should the Frenchman leave for pastures new. The Welshman has failed to nail himself down in a regular position in his time with our club, and most recently, was thoroughly disappointing against Lincoln this weekend.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the last of the long list of stars who will enter the final season of their contracts, although despite the recent links with other clubs, he seems most settled within our squad. The Ox has found himself excelling in a newfound central midfield role under Wenger, and I would be most surprised to see him leave on a permanent basis.
Away from those whose contracts could implement a move, Yaya Sanogo looks certain to leave on a free transfer this summer, while a number of others have come under fire.
Mathieu Debuchy has been surplus to requirements within our squad for some time, and we will most likely try and offload him if we can find a buyer.
Petr Cech has also come under criticism for a number of below-par displays, and with Joe Hart supposedly becoming available, we should maybe consider replacing the shot-stopper, who turns 35 in the coming months.
Are you certain of any of these stars staying, regardless of whether Wenger stays or goes? Which players should we be looking to replace?
Pat J