It was almost a great year for a young Arsenal squad. They almost got back to the Champions League, but a very late collapse saw them finish fifth. They also had some great moments, like the 3-0 first half versus their archrival, Tottenham Hotspur. This is a developing roster, and it is clear that this season was not even close to their peak.

However, there are still parts of the squad that need to be changed up. To help Arsenal have a productive summer, here are three players they must move on from this summer.

Players Arsenal must move on from this summer

Alexandre Lacazette

Lacazette came to Arsenal with the reputation of a great French striker. In Lyon, he had four seasons with 20 or more goals in a row and bagged 37 in all competitions in his last season in France.

Then, he arrived at Arsenal and we cannot say that Lacazette was a major success. His best goalscoring season was 2018-19, and the Frenchman scored 19 goals in all competitions. Despite being the captain this season, Laca only featured in 36 games and contributed six goals, definitely not good enough to be a top-level striker. Additionally, he is 30 and will be 31 in just a few days. He just does not look in sync with what Arsenal are trying to do.

With around £180,000 per week, Lacazette was also hurting the team financially. His contract is up and even if he was to stay, he would have to agree to a lesser salary. But it would be the wrong decision to keep him, even for less money.

Lacazette would simply hinder the growth of any striker who could come up through the ranks or who could be bought in the summer. In addition to that, he has not been that amazing for Arsenal to warrant a new contract for what he has done for the club in the past. Lacazette could seek his happiness back home in France, while Arsenal would be able to move on and find a long-term solution in terms of the striker position.

Granit Xhaka 

If there was a polarizing player in this Arsenal locker room, it would be Swiss defensive midfielder Granit Xhaka. Since he arrived from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016, the opinion on his style of play and general demeanor has been split down the middle. Some love his fight for the club, some believe he is simply unreliable.

Whatever the case ends up being, the truth is that Xhaka should leave the club for many reasons. One of the major ones is his comments after the game they lost to Newcastle, which ended up losing the Gunners their Champions League spot. Calling out his teammates, especially as a player who used to be the captain, is really not something that a veteran should do.

The players Xhaka called out, while not by names specifically, are the future of the club and they will be in Arsenal after Xhaka is gone, whether it is this or the next summer. His play on the field is generally average and his attitude can be a huge problem at times. One time he even showed the middle finger to the fans of his own club when leaving the pitch and some fans have never really forgiven him.

Also, as he is going to be 30 when next season starts, it could be better to free up space for younger players. Xhaka's legacy will be a matter of debate if Arsenal fans consider him to be relevant enough to talk about him, but the fact of the matter is that he needs to leave the club this summer.

Bernd Leno

Leno arrived at Arsenal in 2018 and has played 101 league games for the club. While he has not been successful like his German counterpart Jens Lehmann, Leno has had some great moments in the Arsenal red.

He started this season as the first-choice keeper, but as time went on, it was clear that Arsenal had a much better option for the future sitting on the bench in Aaron Ramsdale. After around four games, Leno was delegated to the bench and that is where he stayed, putting on the kit just eight times in all competitions this season. It is not the case that Leno is not good enough, rather Ramsdale is just a better bet for the future.

Given the fact that Leno is paid a hefty weekly wage, Arsenal need to get rid of him. Despite just eight games played this season, Leno is still a great goalkeeper. If he returns to Germany, he could play for a good club. Leno just needs a place where he could get a lot of first-team football, while Arsenal must find a cheaper backup keeper.

Leno has had good moments for the club, that is without doubt, but in a team that values youth, Ramsdale will always have the advantage. Thus, Leno needs to be out of Arsenal this coming summer.