WILLIAM SALIBA was the first to be cleared out of the Arsenal changing room as Mikel Arteta frees up space in his squad.
Saliba joined Nice on loan having failed to make a single appearance in the Gunners first team.
Mikel Arteta had already promised departures in the January window Credit: PA:Press Association
Manager Arteta had already promised departures when the January window opened to create room in his team.
He said: “We are working on a couple of things and obviously the window is going to bring a lot of news.
“We’ve had some conversations around a few players and whether we can find some loans because the numbers we have in the squad at the moment are really big.”
Here SunSport looks at five likely candidates who could be on their way out of the Emirates.
Sead Kolasinac
The defender has played just nine times this season having fallen out of favour under Arteta.
So much so that Arsenal are willing to let the Bosnian international re-join Schalke on loan with the deal still to be thrashed out.
Techincal director Edu said: “Sead needs to be playing regularly, so we have decided together that a move back to Germany with Schalke will benefit him at this moment.”
Sead Kolasinac will be allowed to leave on loan Credit: Rex Features
Shkodran Mustafi
Mustafi missed the start of the season through injury and has since failed to regain his place.
With the arrival of Pablo Mari and Gabriel this summer, the German has been reduced to only nine appearances.
Arsenal are trying to sell the outcast centre-back but have so far struggled to find a buyer, with Barcelona opting against signing Mustafi.
Arsenal are still trying to sell Shkodran MustafiCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Sokratis
The Greek international has not featured for Arsenal’s first-team this season, but filled in for the Under-23s twice.
With his contract running out next summer, Emirates bosses are considering terminating his contract now.
Fenerbahce are currently leading the race ahead of Napoli to sign the former Borussia Dortmund man.
Emirates bosses are considering terminating Sokratis’s contractCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Calum Chambers
Despite Chambers’ versatility across the backline, he is another surplus to requirements following a battle with injuries.
With only two appearances this season – both in the Europa League – the English defender is clearly not in Arteta’s plans.
Chambers has been linked with a move to old club Fulham as well as Leeds.
Calum Chambers is another surplus to requirementsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Mesut Ozil
Ozil’s Arsenal future was thrown in doubt after Arteta failed to select the German for his 23-man Premier League squad.
The playmaker’s agent has reiterated that the player intends to see out the final six months of his contract.
But despite that, and Arteta opening the door for a re-selection, Ozil is still wanted in MLS, Turkey and Italy.
Mesut Ozil is still wanted in MLS, Turkey and ItalyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
