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Spanish inquisition
Mikel Arteta to axe SEVEN Arsenal players to fund summer transfer spending spree for new striker
Arsenal are facing the prospect of another trophyless season
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MIKEL ARTETA is set to let go of SEVEN players to fund a huge summer spreading spree, according to reports.
The Gunners signed ZERO players in the winter window despite their obvious issues up-front.
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But Arsenal will now be armed with a vast amount of cash at the end of the season to strengthen their attacking ranks.
Arteta - who is currently enjoying a team break in Dubai - made it clear that he was "disappointed" with the lack of January activity and is ready to push for a new marquee striker in six months time.
Newcastle's talisman Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko are the top of the Spaniard's wish-list.
But Arsenal will need to have a proper clear out and cut the wage bill in order to fund any move for Isak - which would surely take a British-record transfer fee.
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The Magpies want to keep the 25-year-old Swede - who has scored 59 goals in 94 games for the Toon - at all costs and reports have suggested a £150million asking price.
But Arteta has sanctioned the departure of seven first-team stars in order to facilitate a spree, according to
For starters, loanee Raheem Sterling is set to return to Chelsea and Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams remains on Arsenal's radar.
There will be major surgery in midfield with Thomas Partey and Jorginho out of contract in the summer.
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Jorginho is currently in discussions with Brazilian giants Flamengo over a pre-contract agreement.
Notable groundwork has already been done on a £51million move for Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi although Real Madrid could yet enter the fray for the Spaniard, who snubbed Liverpool last summer.
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Rosenberg's 18-year-old Sverre Nypan is a target that's likely to be revisited this summer after the Norwegian prodigy opted to remain in Scandinavia for an additional six months.
Meanwhile, left-back Kieran Tierney will likely rejoin Celtic on a free transfer and Arsenal will likely be open to offers for centre-back Jakub Kiwior.
And Oleksandr Zinchenko looks poised to pursue a transfer due to his lack of minutes this season.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has leapfrogged both Riccardo Calafiori and Zinchenko in the Arsenal pecking order in recent months.
That could mean a replacement for the Ukrainian is not deemed as essential.
Veteran loanee Neto - who was signed as a stopgap - is due to return to Bournemouth.
And Espanyol No 1 Joan Garcia remains a player of interest since Arsenal saw two bids rejected by the Spanish club in August.
Arsenal have splashed the cash on their backline in recent transfer windows and further defensive reinforcements are likely to be dependent on outgoings, with Ajax's Jorrel Hato on their radar.
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While the departure of the seven stars may not raise significant transfer funds, it will certainly free up plenty of space on the wage bill.
The Emirates Stadium hierarchy are currently finalising the appointment of former sporting director Edu's successor.
Jason Ayto has stepped up on an interim basis and is a strong candidate to land the job permanently.
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Arsenal are facing the prospect of another trophyless season after they were knocked out of both domestic cups.
While their Premier League hopes are fading as the club sit six points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand, the Gunners are hoping to win the Champions League for the first time in their history.
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