Mikel Arteta and Edu 'make early transfer decisions' over three Arsenal players

But with Profit and Sustainability rules prevalent, the Gunners need to be smart in making money, keeping in mind they won’t have as many fringe players to offload next summer. They will have some, however, and according to The Times, Edu and Mikel Arteta have already decided which players will be sold, making some early transfer decisions with around 10 months to go until next summer’s window.

Kieran Tierney will be at the top of the list, and it would be a surprise if he didn’t leave in some capacity in January. The Scot, who is currently working his way back from a hamstring issue picked up at Euro 2024, spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad and is not a part of Arteta’s immediate plans.

Elsewhere, Jakub Kiwior is being tipped for an exit again having been touted for an exit in the summer just gone. The versatile defender, who can play at centre-back and full-back, was said to be keen on a move back to Italy in the summer, but the right deal was not presented, and Arsenal reportedly moved to keep him in the final days of the window.

That could be different next summer, though, with a January departure likely to be out of the question. Finally, Albert Sambi Lokonga is said to find himself on the list of three to be axed. The midfielder has struggled to reach expectations since arriving in 2021, already spending time on loan with Crystal Palace and Luton Town. Lokonga is currently on loan with Sevilla, making one league appearance so far. Like Tierney, the 24-year-old does not appear to have a future at the Emirates Stadium.

Crucially, Sevilla have an option to buy Lokonga, but they do have debt issues, so the midfielder would need to have a particularly good season in Andalusia. He is under contract with Arsenal until the summer of 2026. Tierney’s contract also runs until 2026, while Poland international Kiwior is under terms until 2028.