Among clubs in Europe’s top five leagues, it was Arsenal that spent the most amount of money in the summer of 2021. All of Arsenal’s new acquisitions have fared well so far, quite a surprise for even the club’s hardcore fans. Arteta seems to be slowly phasing out the players not needed for his system. Next summer, he has to decide the status of a few experienced campaigners whose contracts will be ending. In this article, we will look at five Arsenal players who will be free agents in 2022 and where their future lies.
#5 Calum Chambers
Chambers joined Arsenal in the summer of 2014 from Southampton for a fee of £16 million. Among Arsenal players who will be free agents in 2022, Chambers is the one likeliest to leave the club. He has never been a regular in the first team and has also been sent on two loan spells. Tomiyasu has established himself as a starter, and Hector Bellerin is still on Arsenal’s books. Hence, there is no room for Chambers in Arsenal’s 22/23 squad.
#4 Eddie Nketiah
Nketiah made his Arsenal debut as a teenager but has never been given consistent opportunities to showcase his talent. He has so far made 39 PL appearances for Arsenal and has scored just five goals. Arteta has rated him highly, but he always had two very good strikers in Aubameyang and Lacazette. Hence, he simply cannot fit Nketiah in his side and must be tempted to sell him in January.
Nketiah is the youngest among Arsenal players who will be free agents in 2022. He also has the pace to survive in the Premier League, and hence he should be optimistic about moving away from his boyhood club.
#3 Sead Kolasinac
Kolasinac arrived at Emirates in 2017 on a free transfer from Schalke 04. In the Premier League, he was a regular at the left-back position but has recently fallen down the pecking order. The arrival of Kieran Tierney in the summer of 2019 and Nuno Tavares’ emergence as his competitor has severely dented Kolasinac’s hopes of staying at Arsenal.
Kolasinac is a strong physical presence and is versatile enough to play a number of defensive roles. Hence, Arsenal might be interested to find a potential suitor for him in January, albeit for a small fee.
#2 Mohamed Elneny
Despite spending six seasons at Arsenal, Elneny has never been a regular in the first team. He is known for his work rate but is not as gifted with the ball as many of his compatriots. Elneny has made 137 appearances for Arsenal and has scored five goals.
Arsenal’s current system requires two holding midfielders. Those spots are currently occupied by Thomas Partey and Lokonga. Arsenal are thin in this department, but Arteta has used Maitland-Niles as a backup this season. Hence, Arsenal can afford to let Elneny move for free in the summer of 2022.
#1 Alexandre Lacazette
Deciding the fate of Lacazette is the biggest decision Arteta has to make in the upcoming months. The French striker has produced solid displays during the majority of spells in North London. Aubameyang edges him when it comes to goals, but Lacazette is a different beast altogether when it comes to hold-up play and intelligence in the penalty box.
Lacazette will fetch a decent fee in January if Arsenal wants to get rid of him. Arteta has made his wishes clear for a younger, more dynamic striker. But it remains to be seen whether Arsenal can afford one, as quality center-forwards are becoming rarer by the day.
