Fringe stars set for Arsenal exit
Gunners in bid to balance the books after latest signing
Friday, 18th July — By Steve Barnett

THE new Arsenal arrivals have landed and are busy dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, meaning the focus now turns to who will be exiting the Emirates this summer.
Chelsea winger Noni Madueke became the latest player to hold up the famous red and white shirt this week after agreeing a five-year deal thought to have set Arsenal back £52million. The 23-year-old becomes the fourth signing of the window alongside goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, and defensive midfielders Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi.
Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres is expected to complete his medical over the weekend ahead of a £63.5m move, while 21-year-old defender Cristhian Mosquera will also undergo a medical before finalising his £13m switch from Valencia.
That will take Arsenal’s spending beyond £200m and counting with the club tipped to make even more signings.
And while the books are balancing nicely, the north Londoners will still be keen to offload those players deemed by manager Mikel Arteta to be surplus to requirements.
That includes midfielders Albert Sambi Lokonga and Fabio Vieira, and winger Reiss Nelson, who all spent last season out on loan. It’s also thought that Arteta is ready to listen to offers for Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard if the right bids come in.
One player going nowhere is Ethan Nwaneri, who is set to sign a bumper new deal with Arsenal.
There were rumours that a number of clubs, including London rivals Chelsea, were ready to try and tempt the 18-year-old away from the Emirates. There were even fears the highly-rated talent could leave on a free with his current contract set to expire next summer.
But those fears look to have been misplaced with Nwaneri on the verge of inking a new deal.
Nwaneri, who will switch his number 53 jersey to 22 this season, is confident enough to know what he can offer Arteta and Arsenal. Speaking at the tail end of last season, the attack-minded teenager said he “can bring goals and assists” to the team.
The news of a new deal should perhaps come as little surprise considering Nwaneri’s love for the club. He previously told the Arsenal website: “I joined the academy when I was eight, but I was in the pre-academy before that, so I’ve been here all my life basically.
“I’ve always been a midfielder – I haven’t really changed position much. Around Under-14s and Under-15s I played as a striker a bit more, and that was good for my development because I really improved my finishing then. I played a bit as a defensive midfielder too in my Under-16s season, and right-wing, left-wing, too. That all added a lot to my game. But I’d say attacking midfield is my best position, and where I would like to be long-term.”