Arsenal are entering this 2022 summer transfer window with a roster that needs some changes. They finished an up-and-down season in a very disappointing way. The Gunners finished fifth and, to make things worse, archrival Tottenham finished above them.
Now, Arsenal must look at a future-defining summer. There should be arrivals, but also departures. However, there are some players that simply must not leave the club. In that vein, let's look at three players Arsenal can't afford to lose in the summer transfer window.
Players Arsenal cannot afford to lose
3. William Saliba
When William Saliba arrived at Arsenal in 2019, he must have thought he would actually play for Arsenal. However, interesting enough, Saliba is yet to make a competitive debut for the Gunners, playing two games for Arsenal's U23 team.
Yet, he has played 91 games over the last three seasons, playing for Saint-Etienne, Nice, and Marseille. All of these were loans and in his last loan, Saliba impressed, playing 52 games overall for Marseille, earning a spot on the Ligue 1 Team of the Year and the award for the Best Young Player in the league.
Now, there are certain rumors of Arsenal possibly selling Saliba for profit, but that should not even enter their minds.
The Arsenal board and coaching staff might look at their defense of Ben White and Gabriel and say that they are satisfied. Both are young, had a solid season, and only the sky is the limit for this duo, paired up with Kieran Tierney on the left and Cedric Soares on the right. There is also Takehiro Tomiyasu on the roster, so selling Saliba makes sense, due to the financial implication.
However, he might become one of the best center-backs in the world and deserves at least a season for the club. Saliba just looks like the real deal and selling him should be out of any conversation at Arsenal.
2. Ainsley Maitland-Niles
It is easy to write off Ainsley Maitland-Niles after his underwhelming spell at Roma. At 24, he still has not made the impact he likely wants to make, and that could be the reason why Arsenal gets rid of him.
Additionally, midfield at Arsenal is full of some solid players. Buyako Saka, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe, and Thomas Partey are just a few of them. Also, guys like Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas Pepe can also play midfield, giving the rest of the squad even more competition. Paired up with the fact that Maitland-Niles could be sold for a quick buck to some less successful team in the Premier League, Arsenal might look to sell him.
They should not.
It is entirely true that AMN had a poor spell at Roma, making just eight league appearances for the Jose Mourinho-led team. It is also true that the Arsenal midfield is very strong and stacked with good players.
However, Maitland-Niles should not be judged on one season and should not be considered just a midfielder. That is his primary position, but he can also play winger, full-back on either side, or wing-back if needs be. These kinds of versatile players do not come often. While he is not elite at any position, being a solid hole-filler in multiple positions should earn Maitland-Niles a position on the squad.
If it does not, any English team would likely take him as a backup any day of the week.
1. Eddie Nketiah
Aside from Eddie Nketiah, there are currently no strikers on the Arsenal squad. They started the season with three, but the Gunners now could lose all of them in a single year. First, it was Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang who left the squad. He was their best striker, on paper, and due to poor form and other disputes, Aubameyang was released in January and signed for Barcelona.
Next, it was Alexandre Lacazette who left the club. His contract was up in the summer and the Arsenal board decided to release him, and he joined his old team Lyon.
Now, Eddie Nketiah is also out of contract, and Arsenal are looking to keep him. They simply cannot afford to lose him.
Firstly, there are no guarantees that a striker will come, at least one worthy of playing for a club of this magnitude. Right now, there are discussions about Gabriel Jesus, but things change so drastically in football that it is not beyond doubt that Jesus changes his mind and stays at Manchester City.
Secondly, Nketiah is at least cheaper than any other option. In a world where one good season makes a player cost almost €80 million, for a club that is not owned by overtly rich owners, Arsenal must look to find good financial solutions.
Finally, Nketiah is a home-grown player and a great prospect. He was not given a proper chance yet and they might look to regret it, if Nketiah ends up leaving, especially on a free transfer.
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