Mikel Arteta makes decision on two Arsenal players leaving this summer

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants a top quality striker to boost his team’s title hopes next season but there are also set to be outgoings before the 2025-26 campaign kicks off

Arsenal have no intention of cashing in on Riccardo Calafiori this summer – but they will sanction an exit for Oleksandr Zinchenko with AC Milan courting the former Manchester City star.

The Gunners shelled out around €50million (£42m) last summer to bring Calafiori, 23, to The Emirates. After an injury-hit campaign the Italy international was the subject of an enquiry from AC Milan who wanted to bring the former Bologna defender back to Italy.

Milan were rebuffed by Arsenal and Calafiori also wants to stay in London; that is why AC Milan are now pursuing a move for Zinchenko who is allowed to leave this summer.

Zinchenko, 28, has one year left on his current deal and wages are still a sticking point but AC Milan are ready to push to get the deal done. They have also previously been interested in Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior but his impressive end to the campaign may mean the Gunners want him to stay.

Injuries and the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back restricted Zinchenko to just 15 Premier League appearances last season, with the Gunners now boasting a wealth of options in the full-back area.

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That has effectively seen Zinchenko become surplus to requirements and his £200,000-a-week plus wages will also help Arsenal begin a summer reshuffle.

They have been linked with Ajax’s Jorrel Hato but also want to get some players out to allow them to bring in new squad additions.

While a potential move for Hato would further bolster one of the Premier League’s leanest defences, Mikel Arteta and Co are focusing on strengthening at the other end of the pitch.

A new No.9 is at the top of Arsenal’s summer wishlist with Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko the club’s leading targets. Andrea Berta, the Gunners’ new sporting director, has held advanced discussions over both players.

Ollie Watkins is also still on the club’s radar after their failed attempt to land him back in January, with the possibility that a deal could be revisited.

Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga are also targets with Arsenal seeking to add another dimension to their midfield and fresh competition for their No.1 keeper, David Raya, ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

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