Mikel Arteta is set to make significant changes to his Arsenal squad this summer, with the futures of several key midfielders hanging in the balance.
After opting to hand Jorginho a one-year extension, the Gunners boss is set to sanction the departure of Thomas Partey.
The Ghana international has struggled to maintain fitness over the course of the last few seasons and Arsenal are ready to part company with a player who turns 31 next month.
The futures of Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira are also under consideration with both having played bit-part roles during the Premier League run-in.
Smith Rowe turned in a man of the match display in a 2-0 win over Luton Town at the start of April but made just two substitute appearances thereafter.
The England international’s representatives are due to hold talks with Arsenal chiefs before the transfer window officially reopens, but the likelihood is he will depart in search of regular first team football.
The case of Vieira, meanwhile, is even more puzzling given how well he started last season with a series of encouraging performances.
A red card on his last start against Burnley back in November appeared to set him back in his manager’s pecking order and a groin injury that ruled him out for four months further interrupted his campaign.
The former Porto star returned to fitness in March but failed to start a single game and was an unused substitute in 14 of Arsenal’s final 17 games.
According to the Athletic, his lack of game time was in part down to his performances in training and it remains to be seen whether or not Arsenal attempt to recoup a portion of the £35million they spent on the 23-year-old two summers ago.
Albert Sambi Lokonga is another midfielder who appears destined for the exit door, despite enjoying a reputation enhancing season long-loan at Luton.
Injuries might have restricted him to just 19 appearances, but he displayed enough during those games to earn the praise of now former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Despite earning those plaudits and Arsenal’s apparent need for midfield reinforcements, Lokonga looks set to depart the Emirates.
‘The love I have received has been amazing, it’s been unbelievable and I’ve never seen this kind of support,’ he told BBC Three Counties Radio.
‘I will be back here for sure. If I’m not playing for Luton I will come for sure to see the guys.
‘I think this was the best decision of my life to come here, to play for this club and I thank Rob [Edwards] for inviting me to join him and be on this journey.
‘I’ve loved everything about here, my time was amazing. I think what the club stands for, the values, that was the right place for me and I’m really happy that I made this choice.
‘We’ve grown a lot as a team and the club also as the club has had to adapt quickly to the Premier League, so it was an amazing journey.’
On the subject of his Gunners future, he added: ‘For me, I had a discussion with Arsenal and the conclusion was the best thing for me was to leave the club.
‘Now it’s up to my agent and the club to find something.
‘I still have a contract there, one year plus a one-year option so let’s see what happens.’
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