Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gives green light to squad overhaul as five stars set to leave

Gunners player ratings: Man City 5-0 Arsenal

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Arsenal’s tumultuous campaign looks set to continue into the coming years and could easily plunge them further down the table, as five of their men can leave on pre-contract agreements in January.

It has been an awful start to the season for Mikel Arteta’s men, who sit comfortably rock bottom of the Premier League having lost to Man City, Chelsea and Brentford in their opening three games.

The Gunners haven’t even scored a goal in the league yet, with only Wolves able to join them in that exclusive list.

And with no attacking talents bought, the struggle in north London could be about to get much more difficult.

They have spent £150million on Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale, Albert Sambi-Lokonga, Martin Odegaard and Takehiro Tomiyasu alone, with only Joe Willock taking in a fee of any importance at £26m.

This outlay has been much speculated about given their precarious position in the league table, and with no clear transfer strategy.

And problems are compounding for Arteta, who has five of his players out of contract next summer – meaning that foreign clubs including those in Scotland can agree a contract in January to sign them on a free in 2022.

Alexandre Lacazette is the most obvious choice on that list, and according to football.london, the Frenchman has no plans to extend his contract with the Gunners.

Roma and Atletico Madrid have been linked with the Frenchman in the past, who will only likely command a sizable signing-on-bonus if he leaves on a free as opposed to a fee.

Eddie Nketiah will be in the same boat too, although a few months later.

Over 23’s can sign pre-contracts on their 23rd birthday, meaning Nketiah is free to do so in May.

And, with first-team opportunities scarce at Arsenal, Nketiah may well pursue a move abroad to further his development.

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Elsewhere, Calum Chambers may also leave if a good enough offer comes in.

The former Southampton defender has been a mainstay in Arsenal’s side this season, starting in all four of their matches this season.

And with Mohamed Elneny and Sead Kolasinac’s contracts expiring next summer, there may just be reason to start panicking for Mikel Arteta.

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