No fewer than five players will be out of contract at Arsenal this summer unless they’re offered new deals before the end of the season.
New Gunners boss Unai Emery splashed some cash in the summer just gone and will likely want to do the same ahead of next season.Whether he will want to retain some or all of the players who can walk away for free come 2019 however remains to be seen.
The highest-profile player whose contract expires at the end of the season is a man whose agency has already confirmed he will be leaving – Aaron Ramsey.
Arsenal will no doubt want to try and recoup some cash for the Wales international, and may look to move him on in the January transfer window.
But Ramsey recently spoke out about his situation and Arsenal, and told the press he plans to remain in north London until the close of the campaign.
Another high profile player out of contract in the summer is Petr Cech. The former Chelsea shot-stopper is 36 years old, and although currently in the first team, is being phased out for Bernd Leno.
He’ll likely stay at the Emirates should he receive assurances over his position in the summer, otherwise he’ll be on the move.
Danny Welbeck, Nacho Monreal and Stephan Lichtsteiner are the other players whose contracts expire in 2019 and who could, in theory, leave for free.
The trio will no doubt all open contract talks with Arsenal soon