Premier League 2018-19: 3 players who could still leave Arsenal

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Arsenal team boasting the third-kit for the 2018-19 Premier League season in a pre-season friendly.

The new Premier League season is finally upon us after an exciting and memorable World Cup 2018. Arsenal kick-off against Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday in what will be a stern test for the Gunners.

The performance in this big opening game will pave the way for what to expect from Arsenal in the upcoming Premier League season.

After 22 successful years under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal finally replaced the legend with Unai Emery, the ex-PSG boss who is a proven winner in Europe.

The coach came in and immediately addressed some of the team's long due concerns after making early signings in the summer transfer window.

Arsenal signed world-class goalkeeper Bernd Leno, World Cup star Lucas Torreira, experienced winner Stephan Lichtsteiner, bossy defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos and promising youngster Matteo Guendouzi.

With the Premier League transfer deadline ending on Thursday, the clubs could still sell and loan players to other clubs across the globe for another three weeks.

Speaking ahead of his Premier League opener against Manchester City, Arsenal boss Unai Emery confirmed three Arsenal players could still leave the club. Let's take a look at who these players could be.


#3 Carl Jenkinson (England)

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The right-back has been loaned out on a number of occasions failing to secure a starting spot.

An Arsenal fan all his life, the 26-year-old right back Carl Jenkinson completed a dream move to Arsenal in 2011.

He began his career well featuring in the starting team as a squad player, most notably in the horrific 8-2 defeat against rivals Manchester United.

The Englishman who failed to cement his spot in the starting line-up or even on the bench was loaned out to English clubs on a number of occasions.

The defender was unlucky with injuries at the worst times in his career and failed to impress at any of the clubs he was loaned out to.

In August 2017, Jenkinson was loaned out to Championship club Birmingham City where he could manage only nine appearances for the entire season.

After half an hour of making his debut, he, unfortunately, dislocated his shoulder and was expected to be out "long-term". He made his return in January 2018 in an FA Cup encounter against Huddersfield Town. The defender failed to impress and lost his spot to a promising youngster after making a few more starts.

Jenkinson has now been named surplus to requirements by the boss and amazingly hasn't completed a move away from the club yet.

He has been linked with a move to recently relegated Championship side Swansea City but there haven't been firm news on the transfer from either side.

#2 Joel Campbell (Costa Rica)

Costa Rican winger Joel Campbell failed to cement a spot in the starting line-up for Arsenal.
Costa Rican winger Joel Campbell failed to cement a spot in the starting line-up for Arsenal.

The 26-year-old winger, Joel Campbell completed a stunning move to Arsenal in 2011 rejecting moves to Sevilla and Fiorentina.

The Costa Rican faced issues with his work-permit and was immediately loaned out to French club Lorient.

The promising winger failed to cement his spot in the starting lineup and was also loaned out to a number of clubs in Europe.

His best time at Arsenal came in 2015 when he scored in his first Premier League start of the season against Swansea City in a 3-0 win. He followed that with his first Emirates Stadium goal of the season against Sunderland in December 2015.

On 31 August 2017, Campbell was loaned out to Real Betis for the second time in his career. In October 2017, he picked up an unfortunate injury that kept him out of action for three months. He returned to training in January 2018 but failed to make any notable contributions.

The Gunner who has just one year remaining on his contract has revealed his concerns regarding his Arsenal future in a recent interview.

He has outlined why another loan away from the club next year is "impossible". Campbell has been named surplus to requirements by Emery and a possible move away from the London club remains just a matter of time.

#1 David Ospina (Colombia)

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According to various reports, David Ospina looks set to join Turkish giants Besiktas.

The Colombian International, David Ospina joined Arsenal in 2014 on a four-year deal from French club Nice after rejecting offers from various top European clubs. He made his debut for the Gunners in a 2-1 defeat to Southampton in the League Cup.

The 29-year-old goalkeeper who has been a regular starter for his team on the International stage has found it difficult for minutes in an Arsenal shirt.

He has faced stern competition for the starting spot throughout his career after the Gunners signed Petr Cech from rivals Chelsea in 2015.

A second-choice goalkeeper, he mainly played for the North London club in cup matches.

His best performance in an Arsenal shirt came in the team's UEFA Champions League opener against PSG in 2016. He produced a man-of-the-match performance in the side's 1-1 draw.

With the signing of world-class goalkeeper Leno in 2018 and experienced Petr Cech still at the club, Ospina will find it even more difficult for minutes in an Arsenal shirt this season.

The goalkeeper has been recently linked with a move to Turkish giants Besiktas in a £3 million transfer.

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Edited by Alan John