Arsenal manager Unai Emery says the club may have to sell some players before the summer transfer window closes. Emery’s side wrapped up their preparations for the new season with a 2-0 victory over Lazio in Stockholm on Saturday night.
The Spaniard has already been busy in the market, signing Lucas Torreira, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Bernd Leno and Matteo Guendouzi. However, Emery has revealed Arsenal could now offload a number of players before the window closes on Thursday.
“Maybe some players need to leave as our squad is too big. That is part of my work at the moment, but one part,” he said after Saturday’s win over Lazio.
The Gunners, who handed debuts to summer signings Lucas Torreira and Stephan Lichtsteiner, took the lead through Reiss Nelson (18) before substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s deflected effort secured victory.
The win sees Unai Emery’s side finish pre-season without a defeat in normal time as they now switch their attentions to their Premier League opener against champions Manchester City.
There was plenty of excitement surrounding Torreira’s debut but it was his fellow debutant Lichtsteiner, who almost created the opening goal for Alexandre Lacazette, but the Frenchman’s first-time volley was kept out Silvio Proto at his near post.
At the other end, the Gunners were almost undone when Felipe Caicedo’s shot flashed wide of the near post but minutes later they were in front as Nelson continued his excellent pre-season form. Alex Iwobi’s shot rebounded off the foot of the post straight to the 18-year-old, who tapped into an empty net from close range.
Meanwhile, Emery insists full-back Nacho Monreal still has a chance to face Manchester City in Arsenal’s Premier League opener, despite not featuring in any of his side’s pre-season matches.
Monreal is yet to feature for Arsenal since returning from the World Cup and with Sead Kolasinac ruled out for eight to 10 weeks because of a knee injury, Emery is facing a selection headache at left-back.
In the absence of Kolasinac and Monreal, Ainsley Maitland-Niles played the full 90 minutes at the Friends Arena.
Maitland-Niles, who featured 15 times in the Premier League for the Gunners last season, looks set to start Arsenal’s season opener against City. However, Emery is refusing to rule Monreal out just yet.
“He arrived with no big injuries, but his knee has a little problem and he’s training everyday but not with us,” said Emery.
“He’s doing work alone with the physical coach, and running, and we think maybe on Tuesday he can start training with the team. We don’t want the injuries but it’s one of those things that you can’t help.”
If Monreal fails to recover in time Emery is confident Maitland-Niles can step up to the challenge of facing Pep Guardiola’s side at the Emirates Stadium.
He said: “We have players like Nacho, but he arrived late from the World Cup and also has a small injury. It’s difficult for him to arrive for the match against Manchester City.
“For us we are trying to help Ainsley play in this position and, for me, I want to give confidence to all my players in their positions, then he can play in this position as best as possible. My confidence in all my players is great.”