Arsenal fans could be about to say a few emotional goodbyes as several players are backed to depart.
Mikel Arteta has built a strong platform at Arsenal in recent years and it has helped them get back on track by challenging at the top of the table.
Yes, Arsenal missed out on the Premier League title to Manchester City last season, but they are closer than ever.
You feel those finishing touches are required, in terms of incomings and outgoings, rather than bringing in quantity.
Sources have told HITC that Arsenal have agreed a fee in principle with Bologna for Riccardo Calafiori.
Perhaps a few more players will arrive before the summer window slams shut on August 30, but the books still need to be balanced out.
That requires senior players within the squad to head for the exit door and bring in that much-needed transfer money.
One of them includes playmaker Emile Smith Rowe after he only played less than 400 minutes of Premier League football last term.
Arteta can’t afford to have a player of his experience and talent just sitting on the bench, especially if he isn’t pushing any of the first-team players.
Tony Cascarino labelled Smith Rowe as a ‘very gifted’ player for Arsenal, but someone who has fallen away during these last few years, as he told talkSPORT.
The former striker backed the Hale-End star to secure a move across London and join either Crystal Palace or Fulham.
Emile Smith Rowe told to leave Arsenal
“Lost his way,” said Cascarino. “Blighted by injuries for a period. Very talented young man. He has got a great eye for a goal.
“It’s basically reigniting his career. It’s whether it’s Fulham or Palace. Palace have an exciting team. Eze is still at the football club, but Olise has left. It’s an opportunity for him. He doesn’t have the pace of an Olise. But he has an eye for a goal and he is a very gifted player.
“He has to get back on the bike and start playing football. We know he is capable. Unfortunately, some young players get lost along the way and he did at Arsenal.”
Emile Smith Rowe can get back into the England squad
The 23-year-old has three England caps to his name, with his last appearance for his country coming in 2021.
You feel if the Hale-End star is starting on a regular basis, then he will be knocking on that door again.
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Either Palace or Fulham would be progressive clubs for Smith Rowe because they have two outstanding coaches in their dugout – Oliver Glasner and Marco Silva.
They will be pushing for those top ten places next season, and if they get a man of Smith Rowe in their squad, then perhaps he can help evaluate them towards a European push.
Players like Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice have just elevated Arsenal’s midfield in recent seasons, even if Jeff Stelling and Paul Merson are in disbelief at what they are hearing about Rice.
The same for the man further forward, an opposition manager was blown away by Odegaard after a private friendly.
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