Arsenal are believed to be open to offers for first-team players Alexander Lacazette, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Reiss Nelson this summer.

The Gunners are believed to be going through a massive squad rebuild and they have identified the trio as players who can help them fund fresh recruits.

In Lacazette’s case, the Frenchman has only one year left on his current deal and thus the Gunners would be willing to offload the 30-year-old to avoid letting him leave on a free next summer.

While Maitland Niles and Nelson have failed to cement a place in the first-team, and would likely follow Lacazette through the exit door of the Emirates Stadium in the current shop window.

Arsenal will try to be ‘ruthless’ in the current transfer window

Arsenal currently working on 12(!) outgoings. Mostly sales, some loans.

Xhaka, Willian, Guendouzi, Saliba, Torreira, Nketiah, Bellerin, Maitland-Niles all among the higher profile names. Club aiming to secure £120-150mil in fees and freed wages to fund huge squad rebuild. #AFC

— TC (@TransferChecker) July 5, 2021

The duo graduated from Arsenal’s Hale End Academy and went onto make a combined 170 appearances for the North London outfit. While Maitland Niles looked set to have turned the stone in his favour, after helping the squad in lifting the FA Cup title last season, he has trodded on a zigzag line for the majority of his Arsenal career.

In 2019, the Englishman claimed that he saw himself as a winger.

“I like to think of myself as a winger at 25 years old, starting every week for Arsenal, scoring and assisting goals,”

he told SkySports two years ago.

After impressing at right-back under Unai Emery first and then Mikel Arteta, the England international refused to play at full-back and publicly claimed that he wants to be a midfielder. It now feels like he has finally settled on a position and would be forcing a way out of Arsenal if they don’t guarantee him minutes as a midfielder.

Arsenal handed a contract extension to Nelson last week

Arsenal have offered Reiss Nelson a new contract until 2024 to send him on loan immediatly after (current one expires in 11 months). Nelson has not accepted yet as he’s looking for other options. ⚪️🔴 #AFC

Olympiacos and three English clubs already contacted Nelson to sign him.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 1, 2021

While on the other end of the spectrum, Nelson has been hard done by Mikel Arteta. The 21-year-old was gradually rising to prominence at the end of the 2019/20 campaign. But the signing of Willian from Chelsea ensured that he only made two appearances for the London side in the Premier League.

Arsenal have been in talks with the player’s agent to discuss a contract renewal before loaning him out to protect his market value. However, it still remains to be seen whether he will pen fresh terms for a club that don’t see him as part of their long-term thinking.

Personal viewpoint

I am of the view that Maitland Niles can establish himself as one of the best right-backs in the Premier League if he is willing to play at the full-back position. He has everything you need in a top fullback such as speed, agility, technical prowess.

If he does depart Arsenal to play as a midfielder somewhere else, he might regret his decision 10-15 years down the line. If I had the choice to play for Arsenal I would have happily played in any position, which includes goalkeeping. Even though I have hologram hands like Alex Runar Runnarson, who is another name that can be written off Arsenal’s books this summer.

Related Arsenal Transfer News : 

• Arsenal Are “Desperately” Looking to Offload Their 2020/21 Top Scorer in Order to Raise Funds For Summer Spending Spree
• Arsenal Ahead in Race to Sign €40m Creative Midfielder According to Club President
• Arsenal Need to Make a Move at the Earliest For This £11m Rated Sheffield United Star

In the case of Reiss Nelson, I just feel sad. The young winger was hardly any bad than Willian in the last campaign. When Nelson was given a chance, he at least gave his all on the pitch, which certainly cannot be said of the former Chelsea man.

I am still hoping that he signs the new contract which is on the table. Leaves and performs well while on loan. Comes back to fight for a position in the first team, and proves Mikel Arteta wrong. Because it’s clear that he has huge potential.

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