Another consolation silver medal is waiting for Arsenal at the 2024-25 Premier League finish line, as Mikel Arteta and co bemoan injuries, suspensions and fatal - yet avoidable - transfer mistakes.
Before the first whistle was blown in the 2024-25 season, had we been aware that five-peat-chasing Manchester City would suffer the calamitous collapse that they have, most surely would have tipped the Gunners to take full advantage and win their first title in 21 years.
However, a combination of fitness woes, market failings and Mohamed Salah's Ballon d'Or-worthy season have contributed to Arsenal being a whopping 12 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League table with just nine games left to play.
Arteta may still only give up the title 'over his dead body' while it is mathematically possible to rein in the Reds, but with no recognised central striker - barring the inexperienced Nathan Butler-Oyedeji - it is mission nigh-on impossible.
Following two windows where Arsenal have failed to address their striker shortcomings, expect the bank to be broken on a marquee number nine, while a new number six, goalkeeper and left winger may also be on the agenda of new sporting director Andrea Berta.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira among players to be sold?
© Imago
The ex-Atletico Madrid chief has a track record of selling players for extortionate fees, and he could potentially raise as much as €131m (£110.3m) through selling seven unwanted Arsenal players ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Among the players in Arteta's current squad who could be given the axe are Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard, the latter being the most valuable with a €30m (£25.3m) price tag, according to transfermarkt.
Out-of-favour defenders Zinchenko and Kiwior are both rated at €22m (£18.5m) by the same website, although the former only has a year left to run on his contract, which could put Arsenal in a weaker negotiating position.
Also valued at €22m (£18.5m) is Fabio Vieira, who has recently hit a rich vein of form on loan at Porto, but an Arsenal expert has told Sports Mole that he would lean towards selling the Portuguese playmaker in the summer.
Furthermore, the Gunners could pocket a combined €17m (£14.3m) if Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga's respective loans at Lazio and Sevilla become permanent; Tavares's option/obligation to buy is set at €5m (£4.2m), according to Corriere dello Sport, while Sevilla can sign Lokonga for a reported €12m (£10.1m).
Reiss Nelson will likely also be looking for a new club when he returns from his Fulham stint, and the winger has a market value of £15.2m according to Transfermarkt.
Finally, Estonian goalkeeper Karl Hein does not appear to have a future at Arsenal, where he is only under contract for another year, and his price tag is a modest €3m (£2.5m).
Which other players are set to leave Arsenal this summer?
© Imago
In addition to the septet listed above, Arsenal's clearout is likely to include a handful of players coming to the end of their contracts, and Kieran Tierney's exit has already been confirmed.
Celtic revealed in their latest financial accounts that they had agreed a pre-contract agreement to re-sign the left-back on a free transfer, and he is one of four who could leave for zilch.
Midfield duo Thomas Partey and Jorginho are also running down the final few months of their contracts, and the latter recently responded to claims that he could be on the way to Flamengo this summer.
Loanees Raheem Sterling and Neto will also head back to Chelsea and Bournemouth respectively, as Arsenal will not be expected to sign either on a permanent basis.
Ben Knapton
