Five players that could leave Arsenal this summer in major overhaul and four that will not

There are some big calls for Mikel Arteta to make during the summer transfer window.
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This season has been an overwhelming success for Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal squad as they look to secure the Premier League title between now and the end of the campaign.

Ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Leeds United, the Gunners are sat at the top of the table and hold an eight-point lead over nearest challengers Manchester City. A return to the Champions League is all but secured and that will enable Arteta to really strengthen his squad in a bid to compete with the elite of European football next season.

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But there are some major question marks over some existing members of the Gunners ranks and a number of big calls will have to be made at the end of the season. LondonWorld looks at five players that could depart and names four that will not.

Could leave: Kieran Tierney

Tierney is valued at £22.05million by Transfermarkt.Tierney is valued at £22.05million by Transfermarkt.
Tierney is valued at £22.05million by Transfermarkt.

The Scotland left-back has found his game-time limited throughout the season and speculation linking him with a move to Newcastle United are not without foundation. The Magpies are known to be in the market for a left-sided defender this summer and are known admirers of Tierney, who could be allowed to depart if an offer in excess of £30m arrives.

Could leave: Folarin Balogun

There is no doubt the Gunners striker has enjoyed a productive loan spell with French club Reims after scoring 18 goals in just 29 appearances for the Ligue 1 side. He would provide Mikel Arteta with another forward option next season but his form in France has also put him in the shop window and sent him to the top of the agenda for a number of clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.

Could leave: Reiss Nelson

The young forward provided one of the most memorable moments of the season when he fired home a crucial late winner in the recent 3-2 home win against Bournemouth. However, Nelson’s future at the Emirates remains unknown as he enters the final months of the five-year deal he signed in the summer of 2018.

Could leave: Rob Holding

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Although the defender has made 10 starts for Mikel Arteta’s side, only one has come in the Premier League and his future is under question as he heads into the final year of his current contract this summer. The Gunners are believed to hold a one-year option on Holding but a decent offer could see his seven-year stay at the Emirates come to an end.

Could leave: Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Currently on loan at Southampton, the versatile Maitland-Niles have never really fully established himself as part of Arsenal’s side under a number of managers. He has also been in and out of the Saints side throughout his time on the South Coast and will more than likely make a short return to the Emirates before his contract expires in June.

Will not leave: Bukayo Saka

This seems an obvious one following the remarkable impact Saka has made on the Gunners this season. There has been some speculation linking him with a move away from the Emirates as he heads into the final year of his existing contract. But the newly-crowned Premier League player of the month for March is set to pen a new long-term deal and will remain a Gunner for years to come.

Will not leave: Granit Xhaka

Had this piece been written 12 months ago it would have felt very likely Xhaka would have been filed under possible departures. He will enter the final year of his current deal this summer but he has undergone something of a renaissance of fortunes at the Emirates this season and will surely be part of Arteta’s plans for at least one more season.

Will not leave: Eddie Nketiah

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The England Under-21 star was something of a squad player just a matter of months ago but was thrust into the limelight by a serious injury to Gabriel Jesus. Nketiah provided admirable service and an impressive goals return before succumbing to his own injury. No longer just a squad player, the striker will now provide serious competition for his Brazilian team-mate when next season gets underway.

Will not leave: Nuno Taveres

The attacking left-back has gained valuable experience away from the Emirates this season after impressing during a year-long loan deal at French giants Marseille. He will return to Arsenal this summer looking to build on the undoubted momentum he has built up and his return could allow Kieran Tierney to depart for pastures new.