Arsenal face transfer emergency as exits could leave Mikel Arteta with just 17 outfielders
Arteta gives update on Arsenal's transfer plans ahead of Deadline Day
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could be left with just 17 first-team outfielders if the club sanctions another two exits before Monday’s transfer deadline. Arsenal have already allowed five first-team stars to leave the club this month, either on loan or on permanent deals. The Gunners are yet to make any additions to their squad with just three days remaining in the window.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles was the first player to leave Arsenal this month, joining Roma on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
Pablo Mari and Folarin Balogun have signed for Udinese and Middlesbrough respectively on similar deals.
Sead Kolasinac had his contract mutually terminated to enable him to join Marseille and Calum Chambers completed a surprise permanent move to Aston Villa on Thursday.
Arsenal have been linked with a host of players this month and are keen on signing both a midfielder and a striker.
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But it appears there is little progress in their attempts to strengthen in either position.
The current departures leave just 19 first-team outfielders remaining at Arsenal but it appears the club are not finished in terms of outgoings.
The Telegraph claims Newcastle are hopeful Eddie Nketiah will travel north this weekend to complete a move to St James’ Park.
Nketiah is out of contract at Arsenal in the summer and has rejected all offers of a renewal.
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists he wants the former England under-21 international to stay but the Gunners could cash in instead of letting him leave for nothing at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could also be on his way.
ESPN claims Barcelona are interested in signing Aubameyang on loan for the remainder of the season.
The report says Arsenal would prefer to bring in a replacement before letting the 32-year-old leave but say this would not be a deal-breaker.
Aubameyang has not featured since the disciplinary breach in December which led to him being stripped of the captaincy by Arteta.
Nketiah and Aubameyang leaving would mean Arteta has just 20 recognised first-team players for the final 17 Premier League matches of the season.
That number includes three goalkeepers in Aaron Ramsdale, Bernd Leno and Arthur Okonkwo, and just 17 outfield players.
Arsenal have seven defenders still at the club. Centre-backs Ben White, Gabriel and Rob Holding, right-backs Takehiro Tomiyasu and Cedric Soares and left-backs Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares.
Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga are the central midfield options for Arteta.
Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe, Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli would provide attacking support to the one remaining recognised striker in Alexandre Lacazette.
Charlie Patino is the only academy player at the club who has started a first-team match but has not been officially promoted to that squad yet.
Arsenal would be down to the bare bones if indeed they fail to bring any new faces in and Nketiah and Aubameyang leave.
And with a realistic shot at finishing in the Premier League top four up for grabs, that could be a serious error of judgement by Arteta and the club’s hierarchy.
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