5 Players Whose Arsenal Career Could Come to an End in the Summer
Although Arsenal fans are hungry to see new arrivals in the forthcoming transfer window, thereโs also a desire to see certain players move on. After another year of underachievement, patience with a number of squad members has worn thin.
Then there is another group of players who canโt seem to win the faith of the manager. Arsene Wenger may already have certain names in mind that will be placed on the transfer list as soon as the campaign ends. When the window officially opens, there is likely to be a number of departures from the current squad.
Certain exits are all but guaranteed. The trio of Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky are all out of contract at the end of the season, and itโs difficult to envisage any of them being offered an extension. Injuries and poor form have rendered all three of those players irrelevant for much of the campaign.
This piece identifies five further names who could see their Arsenal career come to a close this summer.
Theo Walcott
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Theo Walcott has not started a Premier League match for Arsenal since Feb. 28. On that day, he played so poorly as a centre-forward at Old Trafford that he seemed to relegate himself to a reserve in Arsene Wengerโs plans.
Wenger now seems prepared to openly admit there is doubt over the England internationalโs long-term future with the club.
Asked if Walcott would be with Arsenal next season, Wengerย wasnโt exactly convincing. The Gunners boss said, per the Press Association (h/t theย Observer):
"I donโt know yet. Iโm not in transfer mode at the moment but I think he has gone through a bad spell. He has responded very well, because he said: โOK, I will work harder and more.โ When he comes on now, you see he is motivated and focused. Letโs see how well he finishes the season.
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Itโs not exactly the vote of confidence Walcott would have hoped for.
Wengerโs uncertainty is understandable. This is Walcottโs 10th year with the club, and he simply hasnโt kicked on as expected. Right now, he is behind teenager Alex Iwobi in the Arsenal pecking order. For a seasoned international, thatโs worrying.
If Walcott canโt regain his place in the Arsenal side before the end of the season, he could miss out on Englandโs Euro 2016 squad. That could be the blow that forces the 27-year-oldย to look elsewhere. It feels as if his time with Arsenal is coming to a natural close.
Joel Campbell
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Like Theo Walcott, Joel Campbell has been edged out of first-team contention by Alex Iwobi. For the Costa Rican, that spells trouble.
What will frustrate Campbell is that when called upon this season, he has largely acquitted himself well. While Walcott has underperformed, the 23-year-old has surpassed expectations. Handed his opportunity by an injury crisis, he seized it emphatically.
Arsenal fans did not know much about Campbell before the campaign kicked off. However, he has demonstrated both an eye for a goal and an ability to split a defence with an incisive pass. Whatโs more, he works incredibly hard to support his full-back, chasing back whenever required.
His effort and skill does not seem to have been enough to convince Wenger of his worth. Campbell has not started aย league game since the March 2 defeat to Swansea City, and he was an unused substitute in Arsenalโs previous game at Sunderland.
After his impressive appearances earlier in the season, there would surely be no shortage of takers for Campbell ifย Wenger officially deemed him surplus to requirements.
Kieran Gibbs
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Kieran Gibbs has started just three Premier League matches all seasonโand two of those were in an unfamiliar role on the left-hand side of midfield.
So comprehensive has been Nacho Monrealโs domination of the left-back position that Gibbs has become a peripheral figure at a club where he was once a regular starter.
Unsurprisingly, reports from Jack Wilson in the Daily Star now suggest Gibbs is considering leaving Arsenal. Wilson cites Newcastle, Swansea and Crystal Palace as potential destinations for the left-back.
He might be wise to take this chance to move. Gibbs will turn 27 next seasonโheโs at an age where he ought to be playing regular first-team football. If he wants to stand any chance of reigniting his international career, he needs to figure more frequently than he does in north London.
It would be a shame to see Gibbs, an academy product, leave Arsenal. However, itโs approaching the point where a parting of the ways might be best for both player and club.
If this does prove to be Gibbsโ final season at Arsenal, he will at least look back fondly on a memorable equaliser against Tottenham in the north London derby.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
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According to Darren Lewis of theย Mirror, West Ham United have already been offered the chance to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Arsenal:
"Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been offered to West Ham.ย The confirmation that the 22-year-old attacker is available this summer is sure to spark a scramble for his services. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is poised to stage a clearout this summer following the clubโs title failure with several players set to be moved on.
Ambitious West Ham are set to move to the Olympic Stadium next season and remain in the hunt for a shock top-four place. It seems that after five years in north London, the Gunners are prepared to cut their losses on the inconsistent winger.
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Wenger has always been a big proponent of Oxlade-Chamberlainโs abilities. However, his career has been scoured by injuries. Unable to remain fit, he has struggled to put together a consistent run of form.
It seems a change of scenery may be required for the 22-year-oldย to fulfil his undoubted potential.
David Ospina
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David Ospina is unusual on this list, because Arsene Wenger would presumably have no desire to see the goalkeeper leave. However, the player may be forced to push for a move on account of his inability to win a regular place.
The arrival of Petr Cech a year ago effectively sewed up the No. 1 spot for several years to come. Ospina is as good a deputy goalkeeper as youโll find in the Premier League, but therein lies the problem: heโs arguably too good to be a mere deputy.
Ospina is Colombiaโs first-choice goalkeeper, and he will be mindful that he needs regular football to retain that spot. With Cech firmly established as first-choice, he may need to move elsewhere to keep his international place.
