The four Arsenal players who could leave after Leicester clash

The Gunners will look to build on their opening day defeat of Crystal Palace today at home against Leicester City, who themselves will be looking to pick themselves up after letting a 2 goal lead slip against Brentford last weekend.

Mikel Arteta’s squad has taken good shape over the summer, with the arrivals of former Manchester City duo Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko bolstering Mikel Arteta’s options coming into the new season.

That said, there are a number of players - including some who could be involved in today’s matchday squad - who could still leave the Emirates this summer. We take a look at them below.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has experienced a turbulent time at the club under Arteta. Having himself expressed a desire to leave two seasons ago, Arsenal turned down multiple permanent offers only to loan him out to West Bromwich Albion and AS Roma in 2021 and 2022 respectively. He finds himself back at his parent club with his future still uncertain, and with Arsenal looking to raise funds to continue their summer spending, it would be no surprise to see Maitland-Niles leave if a suitable offer arrives.

Reiss Nelson

Once tipped to be the next big thing, Reiss Nelson has struggled to impose himself in the Arsenal first team since breaking through from the Hale End academy. Having spent last season out on loan at Feyenoord, there have been murmurings that he could be given another chance to shine in North London this season. However, seemingly low down in the manager’s pecking order and with his opportunities likely to be limited to the Europa League and other cup competitions, he may be keen to seek a new opportunity elsewhere.

Hector Bellerin

It has become common knowledge that Bellerin is no longer part of Arsenal’s long term plans and, after a successful spell at Real Betis in 2021/22, it is expected that he will move on permanently before the end of this transfer window. The players’ agent was in London earlier this week to discuss a move away, with Bellerin’s preference being a return to Betis. The deal has been significantly slowed down due to Arsenal’s reluctance to let him go for free, but the feeling is that an agreement is not far off.

Nicolas Pepe

After his £72m arrival at the Emirates back in 2019, Nicolas Pepe has struggled to have the desired impact. Despite flashes of brilliance, he has remained largely inconsistent — and his struggle for game-time on the right wing has become increasingly scarce since the emergence of the talismanic Bukayo Saka. Arsenal are keen to recoup at least a part of the huge fee they paid for the Ivorian 3 years ago, and this could be the determining factor as to whether they decide to let him go or keep him around as an option for what promises to be a rigorous schedule ahead.

With some positive inbound business completed, Arsenal’s next task is to offload those who are now surplus to requirements.

First, though, focus switches to hosting Leicester at 3pm today.