Arsenal Keep or Dump: Xhaka, Lacazette have to go if club want to move on

With that in mind, here’s a player-by-player analysis of the existing Arsenal squad. Where a player is simply marked “Keep,” the decision was beyond any reasonable doubt.

Various factors are taken into consideration including age, wages, character and contract length (we went with Transfermarkt for contract expiry dates for consistency). And there will be moving parts, too: departures or arrivals that cause chain reactions, sometimes unexpected.

Jump to: Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards | Overall assessment

GOALKEEPERS

Bernd Leno (Age 29, contract expires in 2023)

OLLEY: There are suggestions Leno wants to leave the club and if he chooses to try and force that through, there’s little point keeping an unhappy player. If possible, I would hang onto him for another year and extend if he impresses. He has made mistakes but he is a top-six goalkeeper and a new No. 1 is surely lower on the list of priorities than other areas of the team.

HAMILTON: I’d keep him. Top-class goalkeepers are expensive to sign and if the team can be strengthened elsewhere, Leno can provide the backbone to the new-look Arsenal. If he has a shocking season, his value won’t decrease that much next year.

Verdict: Keep and assess

Runar Alex Runarsson (26, 2024)

OLLEY: Bought in a panic and not up to the required level to be relied upon.

Verdict: Dump (estimated fee: £1.5m)

DEFENDERS

OLLEY: ESPN revealed in February that Bellerin has an agreement to leave Arsenal this summer. His performances have been underwhelming this season and, after a decade in north London, it feels on all sides as though his time at the club has run its course.

HAMILTON: The right-back has been linked with a return to Barcelona, with PSG also reportedly keen. If he is included in the Spain squad for Euro 2020, that may help increase his value. If Arsenal end up keeping him then it wouldn’t be a bad thing, but if they’ve agreed to let him go then they should.

Verdict: Dump (estimated fee: £25m)

Kieran Tierney (23, 2024)

Verdict: Keep

Cedric Soares (29, 2024)

OLLEY: Seems to be paying a heavy price for allowing Slavia Prague to equalise in Arsenal’s Europa League quarterfinal first leg last month, having barely featured since. He remains a useful squad player and his versatility in being able to play right-back and left-back is a notable asset.

HAMILTON: Versatility is key. With a contract through to 2024, he will likely stay at the Emirates.

Verdict: Keep

Calum Chambers (26, 2022)

OLLEY: This is a close one. Chambers is a likeable character and Arteta needs those around him. There is also the Homegrown rule to consider, whereby there must be at least eight players trained in England in a squad. But he probably isn’t good enough for Arsenal and with one year left on his contract, moving him on rather than offering a new deal feels like the way to go.

HAMILTON: If Arsenal go on to have an improved 2021-22 season, players like Chambers will be quietly key to their success. They’re the “glue” behind the scenes; players who can fill in a variety of positions at the drop of a hat. I’d keep him for one more season and extend in January if he’s shown enough.

Verdict: Split Dump / Keep and assess (Estimated fee: £5m)

Gabriel Magalhaes (23, 2025)

OLLEY: Time is on his side to improve. He’s been Arsenal’s best defender when in form and although guilty of making too many mistakes, there’s more than enough evidence to suggest he’s worth persevering with.

Verdict: Keep

Rob Holding (25, 2024)

OLLEY: There is a debate to be had over whether he is good enough but he has the right sort of character and purely in that regard, Arteta needs more of those around him. Signed a new deal in January so won’t be going anywhere.

Verdict: Keep

Pablo Mari (27, 2024)

OLLEY: Has a good range of passing which Arteta likes given his desire for Arsenal to play out from the back. Worth retaining and seeing how he responds to fresh competition in an area they simply have to strengthen.

Verdict: Keep

David Luiz (34, 2021)

OLLEY: There could have been an argument for a one-year extension due to the leadership qualities he brings, but the 34-year-old Brazilian will leave this summer. Sources told ESPN that the Gunners made clear their respect for Luiz’s contribution but are seeking to strengthen the centre-back area with younger alternatives. It is better to cut ties now.

HAMILTON: His contract is up in June and it makes sense to let that wind down. He has claimed before that he wants to finish his career back at Benfica, though some MLS clubs are also reportedly showing an interest.

Verdict: Dump (End of contract – free transfer)

William Saliba (20, 2024)

OLLEY: Arteta and his coaching staff had doubts Saliba was anywhere good enough but Arsenal are simply not in a position to spend £27m on a defender and not at least try him in the first team. After all, can he really be worse than…