Arsenal news: Transfer exodus predicted as Mikel Arteta’s favourite on the chopping block

Arsenal are back on top of the Premier League but key players including a star Mikel Arteta “loves” face uncertain futures at the Emirates amid squad depth concerns

Following their return to form in the Premier League title battle, Arsenal’s attention ahead of the weekend centres on the Champions League draw.

The Gunners thrashed Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 last Sunday to re-establish their five-point advantage over Manchester City. The triumph arrived after back-to-back stalemates against Brentford and Wolves with certain sections of the support starting to doubt how effectively Mikel Arteta’s team could cope with the burden of being pace-setters.

Nevertheless, securing north London supremacy for the second time this campaign dispelled those concerns. Prior to their home encounter against Chelsea this Sunday, the Gunners will discover their Champions League last-16 opponents when the draw occurs on Friday. Here, the Daily Star Sport looks at the latest developments concerning the Gunners, including the futures of several Arsenal stars.

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Star exit claim

Arsenal’s remarkable squad depth represents a crucial factor behind their title pursuit. However, what can accompany numerous elite players competing for a place in the starting line-up is potential dissatisfaction at their limited involvement.

Gabriel Jesus has started just six matches across all competitions since his comeback from injury in December and Gunners legend Ray Parlour reckons his spell in north London might conclude at the season’s end.

He told Metro: “I think Jesus might leave at the end of the season, he is at that age where he wants to be playing week in, week out. We could lose him. We had four strikers when I played. That’s what I don’t understand. (Regardless of Jesus leaving), bring in another one anyway. That can give the other options a lift because they see the standard being set.”

Arteta is recognised as being a huge admirer of Jesus, having previously declared about the player: “I love his mentality. It doesn’t matter how long he plays, when he plays, in which position, he always gives absolutely everything.”

Transfer exodus predicted

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It’s in midfield and wide areas that Arsenal possess the greatest competition for spots. That battle for minutes could trigger a departure of several major stars, according to former Gunners legend Perry Groves.

Arteta has already sent Ethan Nwaneri on loan to Marseille last month, whilst captain Martin Odegaard’s position isn’t guaranteed – as demonstrated by Eberechi Eze’s double against Spurs on Sunday who has experienced his own difficulties securing a regular berth.

Groves reckons the rise of Max Dowman and the ongoing arrival of quality could prompt some of Arsenal’s more seasoned stars to choose departure.

“The thing is though, you won’t have to fit them all in,” Groves told talkSPORT responding to a claim about how Arsenal can incorporate all of their stars in the starting line-up.

“Because there will be a few that will be gone at the end of the season. The squad is that strong, and there will be new faces that come in, so there will be a few that will be surplus to requirements.”

He added: “They all want to go and play. Like you mentioned, Nwaneri, if you’re talking about the inside where he wants to play.

“You’ve got Eze, Odegaard, then Max Dowman who is unbelievable, trust me. So then Nwaneri quite rightly will be thinking, ‘I want to go and play.”.