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How Arsenal squad could look next season if Mikel Arteta axes six and makes three signings
Arsenal face a challenging summer in the transfer window.
Arsenal: Arteta discusses Aubameyang’s future
Arsenal have limited room in their budget to radically overhaul Mikel Arteta's first-team squad for the 2020/21 campaign.
The Gunners agreed a pay cut with the majority of their senior players to deal with the financial ramifications of the coronavirus crisis.
The team's finishing position in this season's Premier League will also have a bearing on their economic situation.
Arteta has revealed he has a "very clear plan" ahead of the transfer window.
"I have a very clear plan and the specificity of the players, the positions and squad balance that we need to compete with the rest of the top teams in the country," he said.
"We don't know how the market is going to be. Obviously we are putting different plans together to see what we are going to be able to do.
"At the moment the uncertainty is still big as well, the way we are going to finish the season will dictate a lot of things financially as well so we have to be a bit patient and see what happens."
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The decision to sign Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari on permanent deals while extending David Luiz's contract for a further season offers a further clue about the club's plans.
One area of Arteta's squad that is likely to remain untouched is between the sticks. Bernd Leno enjoyed a fine season before injuring his knee in last month's defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion, while his replacement Emiliano Martinez has impressed since stepping in. Matt Macey is also set to see out the final year of his contract.
The defence is the area that appears most in need of upgrading but top target Dayot Upamecano is likely to be too expensive. William Saliba will finally be able to pull on an Arsenal jersey, although he will probably have to make do with the likes of Pablo Mari, Shkodran Mustafi and David Luiz as his partner at the back.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Rob Holding and Calum Chambers are at risk of being moved on. Papastathopoulos has been out of favour since the restart while Holding is down the pecking order. Chambers has missed the second half of the season due to a serious knee injury so could be loaned out.
Soares' permanent deal could spell the end for Hector Bellerin, who Express Sport understands is attracting interest from Bayern Munich, Juventus and PSG. Crucially, Arteta is considering selling the Spaniard.
A new right-back would likely be sought if Bellerin is sold. Norwich City's Max Aarons is on Arsenal's radar and would fit the bill, although the Canaries' would need to drop their price tag.
KEY STORY: PSG eye move for Arsenal ace Hector Bellerin as Mikel Arteta considers selling this summer
The midfield is likely to see a new addition and another loanee staying on a permanent basis.
Atletico Madrid's Thomas Partey is the club's top target and could be snapped up as part of a swap deal or by paying his release clause in instalments.
Arteta has also confirmed the club are in talks to permanently sign Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid.
The Arsenal boss said: “I’m really happy with him, the way he’s evolving and I love how much he likes to play football – the passion he puts into every training session, and in every game.
“You just have to see his celebrations. Whether he’s on the pitch or on the bench, the way he celebrates shows how much he puts in - like his life goes into it.
“He’s becoming a really important player. We are talking. The clubs will have a communication and will see what we can do.”
Matteo Guendouzi is likely to be sold due to Arteta's concerns about his attitude, while Lucas Torreira's future is also uncertain after a difficult sophomore campaign.
Mesut Ozil is unlikely to pursue an exit despite Arsenal being interested in shifting his £350,000-a-week wages off their books.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's future is the main concern in attack but he appears to be on the brink of signing a contract extension.
Alexandre Lacazette also looks set to be in Arteta's plans despite speculation over a potential exit.
Nicolas Pepe will be expected to build on his debut campaign while Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli and Reiss Nelson will offer Arteta additional attacking options.
In - Max Aarons, Thomas Partey, Dani Ceballos
Out - Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers, Hector Bellerin, Matteo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira
Goalkeepers
Bernd Leno
Emiliano Martinez
Matt Macey
Defenders
William Saliba
Pablo Mari
Shkodran Mustafi
David Luiz
Konstantinos Mavropanos
Cedric Soares
Max Aarons
Sead Kolasinac
Kieran Tierney
Midfielders
Thomas Partey
Dani Ceballos
Granit Xhaka
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Mesut Ozil
Joe Willock
Bukayo Saka
Emile Smith Rowe
Forwards
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Alexandre Lacazette
Eddie Nketiah
Nicolas Pepe
Gabriel Martinelli
Reiss Nelson
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