At least six Arsenal players could say farewell during final day clash with Everton
Arsenal's 2023/24 season will come to a conclusion over the weekend as they fight for the Premier League title against Manchester City. Everton are the visitors to Emirates Stadium this Sunday in a game Arsenal must win and also hope for a miracle from West Ham who head to Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola's side beating Tottenham earlier this week put the title race back in their hands as they moved up to 88 points, two above Arsenal. While the Gunners hope it could be a historic day, it could be the final chance for a number of stars to represent the club
Last season it was Granit Xhaka who moved on with his final appearance marked by an excellent brace and several other could follow suit this year with up to six names possibly set to leave. Mohamed Elneny has already confirmed his departure in an emotional video message posted to social media on Friday with another player of the previous era in Cedric Soares expected to join him.
Because of the tense title race Arsenal have found themselves in, Mikel Arteta has shown clearly the players he can rely on with 15 names regularly featuring. Among those to have been trusted throughout the whole season have been new signings Declan Rice and Kai Havertz while Takehiro Tomiyasu and Leandro Trossard have only recently become undroppable to Arteta.
As such, many fringe players could feel as though it is time to seek opportunities elsewhere. Aaron Ramsdale, as the trending name, will undoubtedly consider his future this summer after losing his spot in the starting XI to David Raya. Talk of a switch to Newcastle emerged on Friday, and while the goalkeeper shut down those rumours himself, it certainly does not rule out a departure.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is another name to play a far less significant role in comparison to last season. The Ukraine international was one of Arteta's marquee signings just last summer but injury issues and struggles in recent months have seen him start just five Premier League games this year.
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Thomas Partey, like Zinchenko, has also endured an injury-ravaged campaign with it appearing clear as early as March this year he would depart the Gunners after a four-year spell in north London. However, since his return from injury, Arteta has depended on the Ghana international for the final few weeks of the season with Partey starting the last four league games and playing the full 90 in three of those.
Finally, it could be time for Emile Smith Rowe to leave his boyhood club after another challenging season. Injury issues have been far less prevalent compared to the last campaign, however it does not look as though Arteta completely trusts the Hale End graduate like he once did.
Just a few years, alongside Bukayo Saka, he represented the new Arsenal under Arteta but his body has let him down at crucial moments with a bit-part role now appearing his ceiling at Arsenal. Smith Rowe has previously been linked to an exit and despite Arteta's firm stance from the past he would not be leaving, he turns 24 this summer and likely needs a change of scenery.
Gabriel Jesus, Reiss Nelson and Jorginho have all been linked with exits however recent contract extensions for the latter duo make it unlikely they depart. Jesus meanwhile, has only just found himself out of Arteta's thoughts but plaguing injury problems do make it possible a summer departure is considered.