‘Not good enough’ – Arsenal told to sell £50m Mikel Arteta signing
Mikel Arteta is preparing for Arsenal’s title defence (Picture: Getty)
Emmanuel Petit has named three players Arsenal should sell this summer as Mikel Arteta bids to retain the Premier League title.
Preparations have already begun for Arsenal’s title defence after Arteta guided the Gunners to their first Premier League trophy in 22 years last season.
The hierarchy at the Emirates Stadium believe a period of sustained success is well within reach as several domestic rivals are going through transitional periods.
But Arsenal are also aware further success is dependent on another strong transfer window, with Arteta hoping to secure three or four major signings.
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The Gunners are also planning to sell a similar amount of players to make room for the incoming signings and raise funds for further summer investment.
Petit believes Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus should all be ‘shown the exit door’, although he has urged Arteta to keep hold of Leandro Trossard.
Eyebrows were raised when Arsenal spent £52m to sign Madueke from London rivals Chelsea last summer and Petit doubts he is ‘good enough’ despite playing a part in the title win.
Ex-Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit (Picture: Getty)
Brazilian duo Martinelli and Jesus played a less significant role last season and Arsenal are believed to be open to offers for both amid interest from several domestic and foreign clubs.
Belgium international Trossard, 31, is also in that category and has been heavily linked with Turkish giants Besiktas as well as multiple Premier League clubs.
‘I think it’s easy to know what Arsenal are missing, for me it’s wingers,’ former Gunners midfielder Petit told talkSPORT.
Arsenal signed Noni Madueke from Chelsea last summer (Picture: Getty)
‘You need to have strong and powerful wingers with technical skills that can make a difference on the wings. But before bringing in new players, they have to show some players the exit door too…
‘For me the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus. I don’t know about Viktor Gyokeres because he just came into the club.
‘Leandro Trossard, I would keep him. But Noni Madueke, for me, isn’t good enough, I’m sorry to say that, but he must do much more than that to improve.
‘But we definitely need wingers and probably one striker with pace, technical skills, great movement. We need to improve up front.’
Josh Kroenke outlined Arsenal’s summer transfer plans after the Gunners were crowned Premier League champions for the first time since 2004.
‘The business never stops,’ he said. ‘Right now there are already other teams who are trying to strengthen and come at us for next season.
‘We need to be aware of that. We’ve already had a few different conversations about different areas where we think we can improve on and off the pitch.
‘I am looking forward to getting that going this summer but it’s going to be an interesting one because of the World Cup but fortunately everyone is coming to the United States so I don’t have to travel.’
Significant funds will be made available to Arteta, who is believed to be keen on signing a new striker, left-winger, central midfielder and right-back.
A deal for top striker target Julian Alvarez looks doubtful, however, after Atletico Madrid rejected a bid worth £129m from Real Madrid.
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