Arsenal’s summer to-do list: Back Mikel Arteta with transfer funds, sort out who stays and placate angry fans

After a difficult season, Arsenal executives are facing a plenty of work behind the scenes this summer.

Simon Collings assesses what is in their in-tray...

Resolve the future of Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal have already confirmed that David Luiz is leaving when his contract expires in June and Lacazette’s future also needs to be resolved, although he does at least still have a year to run on his deal.

The Frenchman will be 30 before the end of May and will surely want a decent contract, in terms of length and pay, given his age.

Now might be the best time for Arsenal to cash in on him, or risk losing him for free in a year.

Decide on returning loan players

Joe Willock has excelled while out on loan at Newcastle and Steve Bruce has been very open about how he wants to keep the midfielder.

Mikel Arteta says he is planning for Willock to be at Arsenal next season but Newcastle think they can land the 21-year-old for around £20million and such an amount could be hard for the Gunners to turn down, particularly given how much they want to strengthen the squad.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is also due to return from West Brom after his loan spell and he won’t settle for being a squad player going forward.

Arsenal are likely going to have to play him or move him on.

Provide Arteta with funds to bolster the squad

Arteta has been quite open about the need for Arsenal to “evolve” and to do that the squad needs to be strengthened.

There are good players in their ranks - including the likes of Bukayo Saka - but there is a clear lack of depth.

That is highlighted most evidently at left-back, where a lack of cover meant Arsenal were short going into their Europa League semi-final with Villarreal.

The midfield needs to be bolstered too and a new striker could be needed too if Lacazette leaves.

A right-back is likely to be required too as Hector Bellerin is ready to seek a new challenge.

Read More

Arsenal to hold talks with Real Madrid over possible Odegaard stay

Arsenal player ratings: Pepe and Odegaard star in Brighton win

Arteta holds Southgate talks over Saka burnout fears at Euro 2020