Photo: 2 players who had Arsenal contracts cancelled by Arteta bump into one another

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The subject of Arsenal summer 2022 signings is destined to be a fascinating one.

Despite failing to qualify for the Champions League, Arsenal remain linked to some big players.

Alvaro Mortata is reportedly ‘very close‘ to joining the Gunners, while Tammy Abraham is said to have had a change of heart and now wants to sign for Mikel Arteta’s side, too.

At this point, with the summer transfer window not even open, it’s difficult to filter out the genuine transfer stories from the ones that will simply never in a thousand years materialise.

It was overall a disappointing season for the North Londoners.

Yes, finishing fifth after coming eighth the last two campaigns represents somewhat of a progression but, considering that a top-four finish was in their grasp, Arteta will be devastated that Arsenal are only back in the Europa League because, honestly, it should’ve been the Champions League.

It makes you wonder whether the Spanish coach should have kept Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who had his contract terminated in January and went on to score 13 goals for Barcelona during the second half of the season – including a double against the newly-crowned European champions, Real Madrid.

Aubameyang isn’t the first player who Arteta has chased out of the Emirates Stadium, with Mesut Ozil the other high-profile figure to have his contract ripped up by the former Manchester City assistant.

The Barcelona hitman was in Monaco this weekend for the Grand Prix and it appears as if Ozil is too, with the Gabon international posting an Instagram video with his former Arsenal teammate.

Despite their individual brilliance at times in North London, they never played a Champions League game together, which seems bizarre when you think about it.

Next term, the aim for Arteta will be to get Arsenal back into that top four and when you consider the calibre of footballer that the 40-year-old has voluntarily axed at Colney, well there’s zero excuses if it doesn’t happen.