Raheem Sterling one of 12 Arsenal stars at risk of summer exit as Mikel Arteta plots clearout

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is expected to make additions to his squad over the summer, but the Gunners may also need to offload some players to raise funds for new faces

After seeing injuries put paid to their title challenge, Arsenal may well decide that an overhaul is needed in the summer.

The final summer window of the Edu era saw the Gunners make three permanent signings - including exercising an option on loanee David Raya - and add a further two players on loan. They also recouped more than £70m plus add-ons for some senior stars and academy talents, with Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe among those to move on.

Edu's successor is set to be in place in plenty of time for the summer window, with Andrea Berta reportedly the most likely to take the reins. If appointed in March, as expected, he will have a few months to take a proper look at the squad before deciding who to keep and who to move on.

While Edu gets credit for the new signings and contract extensions, he also earned his keep by offloading those deemed surplus to requirements. This will be a key part of his successor's task, with one exit already confirmed but a fair few others needing work.

Kieran Tierney is on his way back to Celtic, with a pre-contract agreement in place for when his contract expires. Arsenal are also expected to be busy when it comes to incomings, with Benjamin Sesko high on their list.

What about the rest of the squad, though? Here, Mirror Football looks at who might stay and who might be on their way as Mikel Arteta looks to build a squad capable of winning the league next term.

David Raya

Since joining on an initial loan from Brentford, Raya has left people in little doubt that he's a solid first choice at Arsenal. The challenge is finding someone willing to come in and play back up so someone so consistent KEEP

Neto

Who should Arsenal keep and sell this summer? Have your say in the comments section

The Brazilian was a late addition after Arsenal sold Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton, and has shown little to suggest he's worthy of a permanent contract. A rare audition against Girona didn't exactly go to plan, and it would be a surprise to see him remain in North London next term. LET LEAVE

Karl Hein

Reports vary on the length of the contract extension Hein signed last summer, but it has been suggested he only added one year to his stay. With younger keepers gaining matchday experience this term while the Estonian spends another season out on loan, this time with Valladolid, it could be time for him to leave. RELEASE

William Saliba

Saliba hasn't always been at his imperious best this season, with a couple of tough outings, but he's still one of the best central defenders in the Premier League. Arsenal won't want to sell the French international, but the bigger question is whether they can fend off reported interest from Real Madrid. KEEP

Ben White

The loss of White for much of the season has been a real blow for Arsenal, despite the fine form of Jurrien Timber in his stead. If the former Brighton man can return to his top form, he'll be a real asset next term - regardless of whether he decides to return to the England international fold, KEEP

Gabriel

Gabriel has a strong case for Arsenal's 'most improved' this term. There were times over the previous two seasons when the prospect of an upgrade on the Brazilian might have been considered, but not any more. KEEP

Jurrien Timber

After recovering from a nightmare ACL injury, Timber has provided what Arteta was after and much more. It will be interesting to see whether he continues at right-back next term with White available, but he'll certainly be an important first-teamer. KEEP

Jakub Kiwior

There's an argument that Arsenal should have cashed in on Kiwior sooner, and there's little reason to justify keeping him now. Arteta appears to have little faith in the Polish international, who still appears to have enough of a reputation in Italy to garner a reasonable fee. SELL

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Another who doesn't appear to have the backing of his manager. Zinchenko is out of contract in 2026 and there has been little talk of a new deal, so now could be the time to cash in. SELL

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Tomiyasu's injury hell means few clubs are likely to be prepared to part with a decent fee for the Japan international. The upside of what he might be able to offer if fit far outweighs the knockdown fee he'd likely fetch from any suitor. KEEP

Riccardo Calafiori

There have been ups and downs from the Italian in his debut season, but there's every chance he can kick on in year two. It's worth remembering he doesn't turn 23 until May - something it's easy to forget given the hefty fee he attracted when Arsenal brought him in. KEEP

Myles Lewis-Skelly

A real no-brainer. Lewis-Skelly has been a revelation since getting his chance in the Arsenal first-team, and the only question is whether his long-term future lies in defence or midfield. KEEP

Nuno Tavares

When Tavares joined Lazio on loan over the summer, the deal included an obligation to buy if certain criteria are met. He has already played 20 times for his new side in Serie A, and that permanent move looks inevitable. SELL

Thomas Partey

Partey has featured regularly for Arsenal this term after injuries interrupted previous seasons. The Ghana international is out of contract in the summer, though, and it may be time to let the high-earning 31-year-old continue his career elsewhere. RELEASE

Martin Odegaard

The club captain is one of the most important members of the squad, if not the most important. At 26 years of age, he ought to be able to offer plenty in the coming seasons. KEEP

Jorginho

Jorginho has looked ready to move back to Brazil for a while now, and it might suit Arsenal to exercise the one-year option in his contract but only to ensure they get a fee. By all accounts, his presence in the squad will be missed, but largely in terms of his off-field behaviour as a help to the younger members of the squad. SELL

Mikel Merino

It can take new signings a while to properly assert themselves in a Mikel Arteta team, and Year Two Merino could become the next example. After an injury-hit start, the Spain international will want to play a part from the get-go next term. KEEP

Declan Rice

A vastly important player who it's easy to forget only turned 26 in January. That Rice-Odegaard-Merino trio could be the most important factor for Arsenal next season, more than any new signing. KEEP

Albert Sambi Lokonga

Lokonga has spent the season at Sevilla after picking up Premier League experience with Luton last term, but hamstring issues have limited his involvement. The Spanish club have a buy option, though, and Arsenal may well be happy to take a fee before the Belgian's contract expires in 2026. SELL

Fabio Vieira

Some were surprised to learn the answer to 'Emile Smith Rowe or Fabio Vieira?' was, in fact, 'neither'. The Portuguese has played enough tof Porto this term to make you think he could return permanently, helping free up funds for Arteta to spend. SELL

Ethan Nwaneri

Nwaneri might have only got a proper chance due to injuries, but he's shown his quality - not least with his goal against Manchester City. Expect him to become a fully-fledged part of the first-team squad next season. KEEP

Reiss Nelson

Nelson has shown flashes of quality at Fulham, but these have been rare enough for Arsenal to feel confident they didn't make a mistake loaning him out. With two years left on his Arsenal deal, the club will be in no immediate rush to sell, but might also be in a stronger negotiating position than with other players. SELL

Marquinhos

Brazilian youngster Marquinhos arrived with a fair amount of hype but hasn't shown a great deal to indicate he can reach his full potential at Arsenal, He joined Cruzeiro on loan with an option to buy ahead of the 2025 Brazilian season, and it wouln't be a huge surprise to see him return to his home country permanently. SELL

Kai Havertz

There were times in Havertz's first season when some were quick to dismiss him as a flop, but that quickly dissipated. We've already seen how big a miss he is, and fans will hope the German gets back to his best when he returns from his hamstring injury. KEEP

Bukayo Saka

Arsenal will be putting a lot of faith in two men coming off hamstring issues, perhaps accelerating the need for new faces if only to manage Saka and Havertz's minutes at the start. Anything close to pre-injury Saka is indispensible, though. KEEP

Gabriel Jesus

This one's more out of necessity than anything else. It's hard to see a club taking a punt on a player whose ACL injury is likely to keep him out of action well into the 2025-26 season, but a January sale might be a possibility. KEEP

Gabriel Martinelli

Another deceptively young member of Arteta's squad, Martinelli won't turn 24 in the summer. For that reason, the inconsistency can probably be forgiven up to a point, and he should have a part to play both this season (once he's back form injury) and next. KEEP

Leandro Trossard

Injuries to team-mates have forced Trossard to play more regularly than expected, and he's struggled at times with the pressure of leading the line. There has been talk of a new contract, though, and if it can be agreed then there should be no need to cash in. KEEP

Raheem Sterling

When Sterling joined on loan from Chelsea, it was broadly recognised as a gamble with enough of an upside. It quite clearly hasn't worked out as hoped, though, and it's hard to see Sterling extend his stay in North London. LET LEAVE

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