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Arsene Wenger is a veteran, astute tactician who has created and molded some of the most entertaining teams in the history of the Premier League.
As he continues into his 21st-year as the Gunners' boss, Wenger will remain focused on the season at hand but will be looking at the next campaign, possibly his last, with a keen eye.
In what could be his last season at the Gunners next year, Wenger could dismantle some the squad and set Arsenal up for the next season.
A host of players have been mentioned who could be let go in January and we take a look at five of the most probable names that Arsenal will look to hold on to in this transfer window.
#5 Alexis Sanchez
With a lot of speculation going around the Chilean's future, Alexis Sanchez is widely considered to leave Arsenal either in January or at the end of the season, as his contract with the club comes to end in June 2018.
From the club's standpoint, a similar situation occurred with Robin van Persie as he left to join Manchester United in his last contractual year at Arsenal for a fee of £24million. However, with Sanchez the player in question here, Wenger and Arsenal have completely ruled out the possibility of selling the player in the upcoming transfer window.
A key player for the Gunners, Sanchez could leave the club for free, come to the end of the season unless the club sorts out his contract issues. A phenomenal world-class talent, the 28-year-old Chilean will leave a huge hole for Arsenal to fill if he leaves.
#4 Mesut Ozil
Along with Sanchez, Mesut Ozil's Arsenal stint comes to an end in June 2018 unless Wenger and Arsenal sort out his contract issues. Wenger, while recently stating that the Chilean is going nowhere, also mentioned the German playmaker as another key player who will not be sold.
While the club tries hard to keep two of their best players at the club, Ozil has claimed in the past that a move to Turkey would interest him the most once his time with Arsenal is done. A creative genius on the field, Ozil is unlike any player in the league and can split open defenses with a single pass.
A vital component of Arsenals attacking play, Ozil's departure could hurt the Gunners, maybe more than the Chilean departure. However, the German WC winner looks set to stay with the club. However, his contract must be taken care of quickly by the club, or they Arsenal will risk losing another top quality player on a free transfer before the start of next season.
#3 Olivier Giroud
Frenchman Olivier Giroud has found himself last in the pecking order at the club in the attacking department behind new signing Alexander Lacazette and teammates Sanchez and Danny Welbeck.
Giroud was on his way out of Arsenal before the start of the campaign with a move to Everton all but certain and completed. However, Giroud made the choice to stay with the Gunners for another year as he believed that his time with the North London club was not over then.
A move away from Arsenal could be on the cards in January, although an exit post the PL season or the summer WC looks more likely. However, the destination for Giroud is far from guaranteed, as a host of top clubs will be looking to acquire the services of the tall creative forward. He recently scored his 100th goal for the club and the Gunners will definitely try to hold on to him for as long as possible.
#2 Lucas Perez
Spanish striker and Arsenal forward Lucas Perez is currently on loan to Deportivo La Coruna after failing to break into the Gunners first team last season. A possible candidate to leave the club permanently in January or at the end of the campaign, Perez has been disappointed with the number of chances he has been provided at Arsenal.
With Giroud a potential loss as well at the end of the season, Perez's exit could result in a situation where Wenger would be obliged to make a big money signing to replace the two players.
Whether Perez could be coaxed into staying at the club is uncertain, as the Spaniard wants consistent playing time which is not a guarantee at the club and could be out of London latest by the start of next season. However, Wenger will be careful with his sales as he will be desperate to win silverware and will use all the help he can get in what will be in his last year at the club.
#1 Theo Walcott
English and Arsenal attacking player Theo Walcott's contract with Arsenal will end in June 2019. With a year and a half left on his contract, Walcott is touted as one of the few players that ought to be let go by the club.
Poor performances and lack of creative penetrating play as a winger have seen Walcott lose his place in Arsenal's starting eleven. Since the start of the season, he has failed to create an impact in any of his Europa-League appearances for the club. With the 2018 WC fast approaching, Walcott is not even in contention to be picked in Gareth Southgate's squad.
The 28-year-old has prior national team experience but will need a string of spellbinding games and performances to get back in line to be picked in the Arsenal squad before he could be picked for England. Despite a lot of fans calling for his head, Walcott does have the ability and mindset to come back from the position he finds himself in, as Wenger woould most probably not sell the player this January.
