Arsenal axe ELEVEN stars to fund record-breaking Berta rebuild

Arsenal could offload as many as 11 players this summer, according to a report.

The Gunners have appointed Andrea Berta as their new sporting director and are gearing up for one of the most important transfer windows of Mikel Arteta’s reign.

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The Spaniard has already promised that it will be a ‘big’ window for Arsenal, while he hailed Berta’s arrival as a veritable game-changer. The Italian’s hire has already seen Arsenal’s interest in Viktor Gyokeres develop, while he is also in continuous contact with Nico Williams.

All told, it could be a record-breaking summer window for Arsenal, who want to strengthen a host of positions. One or perhaps two new goalkeepers could arrive, a left-back could be signed, one experienced midfielder – likely Martin Zubimendi – will definitely be brought in and could be joined by as many as two younger ones.

Additionally, Arsenal want to bring in a left-winger, preferably Williams, a right-winger to act as backup to Bukayo Saka and, of course, an elite No.9. However, this big spending will have to be partially funded by outgoings.

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Arsenal to axe eleven?

According to The Mirror, as many as 11 players could depart the Emirates this summer. Thomas Partey and Jorginho won’t have their contracts extended, and neither will Kieran Tierney, who is set to rejoin Celtic.

Raheem Sterling and Neto will return to Chelsea and Bournemouth, respectively, at the end of their loans, while Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares are expected to be signed permanently by their loan clubs, Sevilla and Lazio.

Reiss Nelson has already returned to the club from his Fulham loan due to an injury, however, he is expected to depart again in the summer. Fabio Vieira will also return from his Porto loan in the summer, although his future is unclear as Mikel Arteta remains a fan of the tidy midfielder.

Finally, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior are expected to be sold. The former had interest from Borussia Dortmund in January and would have just a year left to run on his contract if he were to stay beyond the summer.

As for Kiwior, he has no shortage of suitors, although his importance to Arsenal is set to increase massively in the final weeks of the season due to the Gunners’ defensive injury crisis. However, that is unlikely to change his future, and the expectation is for him to leave anyway.