David Ornstein updates on possible transfer exits from Arsenal this month
The Athletic correspondent David Ornstein has revealed that Arsenal are prepared to sanction the departure of 12 players on either temporary or permanent deals this month.
The north London side have endured a difficult league campaign by their standards and they are currently languishing in the 10th spot in the standings with just 27 points on the board.
There has been an improvement in the displays since the arrival of Mikel Arteta as the head coach of the club but it can’t be denied that there is certainly the need for reinforcements in the near future.
Speaking on The Athletic Podcast, Ornstein revealed that he has no clue regarding the possible inward activity at the club but suggested that there could be plenty of players heading through the exit door.
He added to specify that most of them will be the young graduates at the club, who are in need of gametime and experience playing regularly at the first-team level.
“Arsenal, I’m told, are looking to shift up to 12 players. On loan, and/or permanently. Of course, the majority of those will be young players who need to get some game time,” he revealed via the Athletic Podcast.
“We know that Eddie Nketiah will go out on loan again, having been recalled from Leeds. Elsewhere you’ll likely see a loan for Emile Smith Rowe, depending on his fitness and finding the right option. I think those are the two players that clubs have come in and presented for.”
Eddie Nketiah was recently recalled from a loan stint at Leeds United, where he could not command a starting role in the Championship. The striker is expected to head back to the second tier for the backend of the season with Bristol City, Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest among the front-runners to sign him on a temporary basis.
Meanwhile, Emile Smith-Rowe is another player, who has been mentioned by Ornstein. The teenager was able to make his full Premier League debut against Everton in Freddie Ljungberg’s final game in interim charge. He has not managed to earn any playing time under Arteta and should benefit from another short stint away from the Gunners.
