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Arsenal's team has not been a different one from Arsene Wenger‘s era since Unai Emery’s appointment. After a strong run at the beginning of the season, the Gunners still haven't cemented a place in the top 4. Their defense is also yet to find consistency and has been one of their main problems.
Now it is evident that recent defensive arrivals such as Lucas Torreira and Sokratis Papasthopoulos are not enough to improve the club. They need to get reinforcement as well as dumping their problematic old players. Arsenal would need to make some money to escape their lingering issues and selling several high-profile players could be the answer.
Below, we suggest 3 players the Gunners should consider selling in the summer in order to raise funds for reinforcement:
#1 Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil was once known by many as one of the best assist providers in the World. Arsenal seemed to have got it right when they decided to spend a massive €50 million to prise the playmaker away from Real Madrid.
The ex-Werder Bremen playmaker did impress during his first few seasons at Arsenal and he was able to convince the board to offer him a new deal. However, his form has plummeted since the Gunners gave him an improved contract.
Ozil has only scored once and provided one assist to his team in his last 10 matches. He is still often going in and out from Emery’s starting XI because of his inconsistency. His form was also horrible in Arsenal’s most recent Europa League visit to Rennes and got subbed in the 70th minute.
However, his colossal £350,000 a week wage has been a constant burden for Arsenal. At 30 years old, Ozil has no much time left at the Emirates and, the Gunners will be forced to replace him sooner or later. Despite the need to sell Arsenal might find it hard to lure potential suitors for the German because of his salary.
#2 Shkodran Mustafi
Shkodran Mustafi was one of Valencia’s best defenders for about 2 seasons. When the Gunners decided to buy him for a massive €40 million, he was intended to become an instant upgrade for their defense. Unfortunately, he has now turned out to be a core of defensive problems for Arsenal.
Many Critics have been slamming the German International constantly for his inconsistent performances, mainly because of his tendency to make simple mistakes. In a recent match against Rennes, Emery even moved him to full-back position, trusting Laurent Koscielny and Sokratis instead in the heart of Arsenal’s defense.
As expected, Mustafi flopped in his unnatural position as Arsenal conceded 3 goals in that match. Knowing that the 26-year-old is still a regular under Emery, the Gunners could sell him for a reasonable amount and reinvest the money in other high-profile defenders.
#3 Mohamed Elneny
Arsenal’s defensive problems have occurred long ago and Mohamed Elneny was intended to solve that. Joining Arsenal from Basel in 2016, the 26 years old was expected to be a quick solution to improve the protection at midfield.
Unfortunately, the anchorman has not been able to cement a place for himself in the Gunners squad so far. His situation seems to have gotten worse since Unai Emery's takeover as he has only started in just 4 Premier League games this season. The arrivals of Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira also has made his Emirates career worse than ever.
Even though he still starts for the Gunnars in Europa League games, he was nowhere to be seen in Arsenal's latest Europa clash against Rennes. Without any hesitations, Elneny is now just deadwood that Arsenal should cut in the next transfer window.
