Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Arsene Wenger to Offload Up to 4 Major Names in Summer

Arsene Wenger is reportedly ready to make massive changes to his Arsenal squad at the end of the season, with up to four big names believed to be available for transfer to accommodate new signings.

The Sun's Mark Irwin (h/t Metro's Simon Osborn) reports Abou Diaby already has one foot out of the door, as the French manager admitted he needs to discuss the 28-year-old's contract in the near future:

"

The only thing I can say about Diaby is that he progresses well in training. He goes step by step but is not yet in a position to play.

I will have to talk to him soon about his contract. I plan to do that this month.

"

Injuries have troubled the unfortunate Diaby all season, but he might not be the only midfielder to leave the Emirates this summer. According to Irwin, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini could also be on the chopping block.

The emergence of French youngster Francis Coquelin has pushed the duo from the starting XI, and it's easy to see why. As shared by bet365, the 23-year-old already matches up well with Chelsea's Nemanja Matic, widely regarded as the top holding midfielder in the Premier League:

According to Irwin, Wenger would prefer to keep club captain Arteta as a veteran option off the bench and an example for younger players, while using the funds gathered in the sale of Flamini to help with the purchase of Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin.

As good as Coquelin has been, Bleacher Report UK's Sam Tighe still believes his compatriot is a better fit for Arsenal, both in the current 4-3-3 system and beyond:

And if those three potential departures weren't enough, longtime centre-back Per Mertesacker could also be on his way out during the summer, according to the Daily Star's Carl Eldridge. He writes Wenger has had it with the tall German and looks to continue with a partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista next season.

While it's highly unlikely all four players will leave the Emirates during the summer, it's not a surprise to hear all this chatter. Many of the Gunners' top contributors this season have been younger players—most notably Coquelin, whose excellent displays shine a poor light on some of the veterans.

You can't fault Diaby, Flamini and Arteta for missing time due to injuries, but when a younger, cheaper player steps in and does his job just as well, it's only a natural evolution to build your squad around the player with more upside and start shipping off some of the veterans.

Mertesacker had a nightmare outing against Monaco and has generally been used as a scapegoat whenever things have gone wrong for Arsenal this season, and often correctly, as a result of his lack of pace being exposed. But per Bleacher Report's James McNicholas, the 30-year-old continues to bounce back from setbacks with solid performances:

Of the four potential candidates to be axed, Mertesacker appears the least likely to leave the club in the summer. Despite the addition of Paulista, the Gunners still have limited depth at the centre-back position, and there's no telling how the Brazilian will fare in the Premier League on a long-term basis.

Flamini and Diaby are likely candidates to be sold, while Arteta might be saved by his status as captain and his excellent service to the club in the past. If the veteran can reconcile himself with a role as a backup and depth player, there may still be a future for him in north London.

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