Arsenal legend Alan Smith has backed Mikel Arteta’s decision to put three Arsenal title winners up for sale this summer. Arteta guided Arsenal to their first Premier League title since 2004 last season and to their first Champions League final in 20 years.
Arsenal’s Summer Transfer Plans
Josh Kroenke emphasised the need for Arsenal to bolster the squad from a position of strength at the end of the season, with Arteta hoping to bring in three or four major signings in the summer. Player sales will be necessary to raise funds and make room for the incoming signings and Arsenal have reportedly put several players up for sale.
Wingers Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, forward Gabriel Jesus and defender Ben White have all been linked with moves away from the Emirates Stadium.
Smith’s Verdict on Potential Departures
Arsenal legend Smith says he would understand if three of those players left, insisting the ‘only one’ he would stop from leaving is ‘versatile’ and ‘clever’ Trossard. ‘The only one from that list I wouldn’t want to see go is Leandro Trossard,’ Smith told Metro on behalf of BestBettingSites. ‘I think he’s had a great season. He can score important goals and he’s a very clever player, versatile as well. He’s mainly played on the left, but he can come inside. He’s a big fan favourite as well.’
‘Looking at Gabriel Martinelli, it’s been a frustrating few years for him. Ben White, yeah, again, I’m sure there’s defenders coming to the club so he might feel like it’s time to go. ‘I can see Gabriel Jesus going as well, certainly if Arsenal buy another striker which it looks like they’re trying to do. I think he would be the first one that they would try and offload. But Leandro Trossard, for me, is one you wouldn’t want to let go.’
Jesus has been linked with a return to Brazil after a season in which he struggles for game-time due to a loss of form and injury issues. His compatriot Martinelli also failed to have the season he would have wanted, contributing just one goal to Arsenal’s Premier League title triumph.
Trossard has emerged as a top target for Turkish side Besiktas while also attracted interest from several Premier League clubs.
Petit Also Urges Summer Clearout
Like Smith, Emmanuel Petit has also urged Arteta to clear the decks this summer and sell Noni Madueke as well as Jesus and Martinelli. ‘I think it’s easy to know what Arsenal are missing, for me it’s wingers,’ former Gunners midfielder Petit told talkSPORT. ‘You need to have strong and powerful wingers with technical skills that can make a difference on the wings. But before bringing in new players, they have to show some players the exit door too… For me the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus. I don’t know about Viktor Gyokeres because he just came into the club. Leandro Trossard, I would keep him. But Noni Madueke, for me, isn’t good enough, I’m sorry to say that, but he must do much more than that to improve. But we definitely need wingers and probably one striker with pace, technical skills, great movement. We need to improve up front.’
