Don't Expect Major Arsenal Departures This Summer

Arsene Wenger has talked of the need to bring in reinforcements this Summer but any Arsenal supporters hoping to see the squad drastically restructured are destined for disappointment.

Historically, under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal has sold players for one of three reasons:

1) They are not good enough. Justin Hoyte, Jeremie Aladiere, and Stuart Taylor all fall into this category.

2) They are past their prime and standing in the way of outstanding young players. Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, and Patrick Vieira all fall into this category.

3) They are so good that big clubs come in offering big money. Emmanuel Adebayor, Alexander Hleb, and Nicolas Anelka all fall into this category.

Players that might fall into the first category this coming post season include Michael Silvestre, Phillip Senderos, Manuel Almunia, and Lucas Fabianski. I don't think Arsenal fans would be sorry to see the back of any of these four.

The Arsenal squad does not currently contain any players which fall obviously into the second category although there are a couple of established players currently on the comeback from serious long term injuries.

Category three belongs exclusively to Cesc Fabregas. Had Van Persie stayed fit this season he would probably have attracted the interest of the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona but his propensity for season ending injuries will probably deter any big money bids this Summer.

Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna could come under scrutiny from some of Europe's big spenders but there aren't many big clubs in urgent need of reinforcements at full back. Fabregas is likely to be subject of a fair amount of tabloid speculation but Barcelona is his only realistic destination and they already have a couple of world class midfielders of their own in Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

Players such as Tomas Rosicky, Eduardo, Carlos Vela and Theo Walcott will all have a point to prove after mildly disappointing seasons. Rosicky's progress after a potentially career threatening injury has been encouraging, Eduardo's less so. However the adoptive Croatian only signed a long term contract last year and will be given ample opportunity to prove his worth to the club.

Vela and Walcott are both promising youngsters and there is absolutely no chance of Wenger releasing either on a permanent basis at this stage of their development. Vela and Eduardo might both be contenders for season long loans although either man could cement his place in the side with a strong preseason.

Arsene Wenger might entertain a big money offer for Emmanuel Eboue were it to arrive.

The Ivory Coast international has won over the Arsenal supporters with his recent performances but appears unable to establish himself as either a winger or a midfielder. He rarely disappoints when asked to perform either role but remains more of a squad player than a first team regular. His departure would leave Wenger with only one recognised right back in Bacary Sagna though.

Arsenal currently have two promising young left backs, as well as established French international Gae Clichy, who will both feel they are overdue an opportunity to play regular first team football. Kieran Gibbs might well have made the England squad had his season not been cut short by injury and Armand Traore's first team appearances have been limited after an impressive loan spell at Portsmouth last season.

Having three left backs of this quality seems excessive and Wenger may well be open to the possibility of releasing one. Should a big money move for Clichy materialize Gibbs or Traore would simply be promoted to the first team and Arsenal could invest the money elsewhere in the team. If, as appears likely, Clichy stays than either Gibbs or Traore could be a contender for a loan to another Premiership side

Like all clubs Arsenal have on occasion been unable to keep players who are no longer under contract. Out of contract Matthieu Flamini could not resist the lure of the lira and Ashley Cole was sold for a pittance with less than 10 months remaining on his deal.

William Gallas falls firmly into this category and appears highly likely to move on after coming to Arsenal as the makeweight in the aforementioned Ashley Cole deal. Mikael Silvestre and on loan Phillip Senderos will also be out of contract this Summer and are unlikely to be signed on for another season.

The World Cup could change everything. If Van Persie were to finish as the tournament's top scorer he could easily become Real Madrid's must-have summer signing.

Arsenal's finances are robust but insufficient to withstand enormous transfer bids. Almost every recent preseason has been marked by a big money departure but the dearth of outstanding candidates in the current squad might make this one an exception.