The focus at Arsenal will be solely on the race for the Premier League title but Mikel Arteta does have a few decisions to make on the futures of a few of his Gunners players – ahead of the summer window.
Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League, ahead of an enormous game against Manchester City on Sunday. If The Gunners remain in first place after the weekend, then fans will certainly start to dream.
But for a number of Arsenal players, they will be thinking about their long-term futures at The Emirates. Reiss Nelson for example, is a £30m target for Brighton this summer having struggled to get game time.
Players that are out on loan in the form of Kieran Tierney, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares will require a decision on their future. Four players are out of contract in the summer, as things stand.
Arsenal star is running out of patience behind the scenes
Karl Hein has already made it clear he needs game time and the chances are, the third-choice goalkeeper will be leaving Arsenal. Cedric Soares, too. Mo Elneny is seemingly happy being a back-up player there.
The big one that is staring Arteta in the face at the moment is Jorginho. The former Chelsea man, who Declan Rice recently said is “world class”, is out of contract – but Arsenal have the option to extend.
This week, his agent has been vocal in the media about Jorginho’s future at Arsenal – calling on Arsenal to make a decision and hinting at a move to Italy. Now, Spanish outlet SPORT deliver a new update on him.
They say Jorginho is running out of patience with Arsenal behind the scenes, as he waits for Arteta and Edu to make a decision on whether they will be extending his stay – or letting him go on a free transfer.
The report states that Barcelona are long-term admirers of Jorginho, with sporting director Deco a big fan of the Italy star. Barcelona have kept in contact with the midfielder’s agent over the years.
Jorginho deserves another year, as long as he’s happy as back-up
The midfielder remains a top, top player. He has his critics, but Arsenal lack experience – part of the reason Jorginho was brought to the club in the first place. It is not as if his position is an explosive one.
What he does on the pitch is solid, and he offers a solution from the penalty spot. But it is his experience, his ability to drag others with him in tough times, that should convince Arsenal to at least keep him.
The fact he has captained Arsenal this season, and played 28 times in all competitions, is enough reason for The Gunners to keep him at the club. Letting him go will require Arsenal to replace him in the window.
That is going to cost more cash – with Arsenal needing to spend what money they have on bringing in a new striker, one that can finally fire them to the title. A Victor Osimhen, maybe. Arsenal should keep him.