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With a brilliant start to the 2018/19 season, it looked like Arsenal were set to make their mark in the Premier League, as they were in the top four for a majority of the season. However, lack of squad depth and quality affected the Gunners' season, and Champions League football is yet again set to not feature at the Emirates for the coming season.
Unai Emery led his side to a 22-game unbeaten streak in the month of September and October. The gaffer did all he could, but unfortunately for Arsenal, it was not enough. He expressed the need for a winger in the January transfer window, but he was not provided with the necessary funds, as only loan deals were viable for the Gunners in the winter transfer market. And their only loan-signing, Denis Suarez, had a disaster of a season in London, as he was battling a groin injury for a majority of his tenure with Arsenal.
The Gunners undoubtedly tried their level best, but a few players, including big names, failed to lead their team and their inconsistency has cost Emery and co a UCL berth. Reinforcements are needed, but there are some players who need to be axed out before Arsenal take on the 2019/20 season.
#5 Sell - Mohamed Elneny
The Egyptian has never been anything but a squad player at Arsenal. He never looked like a player who could perform at a world class level regularly, and it was not any different under Unai Emery. The gaffer always relied on Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka to hold the strings in midfield, and Matteo Guendouzi's arrival from Lorient FC last season was certainly as a back up in midfield, with no place for Elneny.
The 26-year-old midfielder has only started twice all season in the Premier League, with 7 appearances in the Europa League as well. With 0 assists and 0 goals all season, he does not look like a player who will be allowed to stay for one more season at Arsenal.
Unai Emery will certainly look to cash on him this season, and it will be very difficult to get more than €10 million for Elneny, who is currently valued at just €8 million.
#4 Loan - Joe Willock
Joe's cameo against Chelsea in the UEFA Europa League final against Chelsea is something I'd never forget. At the age of 19, he has more pace, creativity and strength than most of our forwards. Willock came in for Mesut Ozil with one intention; to drive at their defence.
Joe Willock created more chances and attempted more shots in 20 minutes than Mesut Ozil did in the whole game, and with Alex Iwobi, Chelsea certainly felt the pressure of conceding a couple.
Staying at Arsenal would hinder his growth, and therefore, Unai Emery has to let him go out on loan to help him get more minutes consistently. With the inclusion of Ryan Fraser and Dennis Praet, who are heavily linked with a move to the Emirates, Joe Willock will not have regular chances. A loan move to some mid-table or low tier Premier League team would be viable and beneficial for both parties.
#3 Sell - Laurent Koscielny
A terrible knee injury for captain Kos against Atletico Madrid last season sidelined him for more than a year. Laurent, at the age of 32, experienced a career-ending injury and was not expected to make an appearance in an Arsenal shirt since then. However, he came through it like a true warrior and played a key part for the Gunners this season.
Though Arsenal's defence was unarguably the worst in the top six, with Koscielny and Sokratis, Arsenal looked pretty decent at the back. The likes of Kolasinac and Ainsley Maitland Niles are not natural fullbacks as they prefer playing in a wing-back role, and therefore, while playing a back four, Koscielny and Sokratis had to take all the pressure on themselves due to the unfortunate injury to Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding.
Laurent Koscielny certainly made Arsenal's defence 10 times better, but his age and injury concerns have to be taken into consideration. Reportedly, Borrusia Dortmund are interested in the Frenchman's services and Arsenal would let go of their captain if the German giants can meet his valuation of £10 million.
#2 Loan - Emile Rowe Smith
Emile Rowe Smith is one of Arsenal's brightest academy prospects, and at the age of 18, the English international has already made into the first team with four Europa League appearances under his belt. However, he was allowed to go on loan to RB Leipzig in the January transfer market as Denis Suarez joined Arsenal on loan from Barcelona.
Emile has come up through the ranks at Arsenal and it seems that he'll either be integrated into the first team or sent out on loan to some other club because it would be stupid to sell him at this age for an apple and a pie as he is one of Arsenal's highly-rated youngsters.
With Reiss Nelson likely coming back to Arsenal as a permanent first-team player from Hoffenheim, Emile and Joe Willock will not be provided with regular chances which would eventually hamper their development.
#1 Sell - Mesut Ozil
From being one of Arsenal's most efficient players to being a liability to the team, Mesut Ozil has come a long way. Arsene Wenger certainly was one of his biggest admirers, but Arsenal's new manager, Unai Emery, does not seem to be a fan of the German.
Mesut Ozil, 31, is just a shadow of his past, and high-octane, swift football is no more a quality of the playmaker. The German has failed to help Arsenal get back into UCL football, as Emery trusted him with the playmaking duties against Chelsea in the UEL final, but Mesut did not deliver. He created a total of zero chances for Aubameyang and Lacazette, and he is clearly not in Unai Emery's plans for next season.
Reports suggest that Mesut Ozil will decline any loan or permanent moves out of Arsenal, but the German will have to take a decision as he has only two years left on his contract and the Arsenal board are not willing to extend his contract any further. His move this season looks imminent.
