27 July 2023 , 11:52
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Mikel Arteta has warned the Arsenal hierarchy that the size of his current squad is "unsustainable" and that outgoings are required.
The Gunners have been active in the transfer market since finishing second in the Premier League last term, paying substantial fees for Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.
But after spending in excess of £200m on his trio of new signings, Arteta has made it clear to the personnel above him - including the club's sporting director, Edu - that Arsenal's focus going forward has to be trimming their 30-man squad: a figure that Arteta considers too large.
Speaking after Wednesday night's enthralling 5-3 win over Barcelona in an exhibition match at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Arteta refused to rule out further transfer activity. He said: "Well, we have 30 players here which is unsustainable. Obviously, the market is still open and things can happen. We are prepared.
"I’m really happy with the squad we have at the moment. We have improvements to make in terms of what we want to do in games and we still have to do that [but] overall really pleased with the team."
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Arteta's comments are eerily similar to those he made last July. The Gunners boss was backed in the market as the Londoners snapped up Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White, amongst others, but was left with several players who wouldn't feature.
Join the debate! Who do you think Arsenal should now be looking to sell? Let us know here.
Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to offload several players who are now surplus to requirements (AFP via Getty Images)Speaking back then, the Spaniard said: "We have a large squad, so we have to make some decisions as well on the players that we're not going to be using consistently and be fair and straight with them and that's a process that is going to start very soon as well. We have a big squad and now we have to make things happen."
Despite Arteta's plea 12 months ago, a number of fringe players are still on the books at the Emirates. The likes of Nicolas Pepe and Nuno Tavares, who both spent last season out on loan, are surplus to requirements and should be moved on before September's transfer deadline.
Elsewhere, Folarin Balogun is unlikely to be content with a supporting role after starring on loan at Reims last season. Kieran Tierney, too, may be unwilling to accept a bit-part role for another year after being usurped by Zinchenko; even though Arteta stressed this week that he is keen to keep the former Celtic star.
The likes of Rob Holding, Cedric Soares and Albert Sambi Lokonga have all been linked with moves elsewhere during the summer transfer window and the onus is on the club to find buyers considering none are likely to feature in Arteta's first-team plans going forward.
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