Arsenal’s Summer Exodus Continues as Arteta Clears House
Arsenal’s summer overhaul shows no signs of slowing down, with a wave of player departures reshaping Mikel Arteta’s squad ahead of the 2025/26 season. Just a day after confirming the exits of five players—including Jorginho, Kieran Tierney, and loan returns Raheem Sterling and Neto—the Gunners announced that left-back Nuno Tavares has also left the club permanently, joining Lazio after a successful loan spell in Serie A. Tavares, once considered a promising prospect, struggled to gain Arteta’s trust and was reportedly a disruptive presence during training sessions. Despite inconsistencies in England, his impressive attacking stats in Italy helped secure him a £7.5 million move, with Arsenal retaining a sell-on clause
While trimming the squad, Arsenal face the real possibility of losing a key figure in midfield. Barcelona are reportedly in talks with Thomas Partey’s representatives over a free transfer, as negotiations over a new contract with Arsenal drag on. Arteta has expressed a strong desire to keep the 31-year-old Ghanaian, who was one of the team’s most consistent performers last season. However, with the club offering only a short-term extension and reluctant to meet his wage expectations, Partey could be tempted by a move back to La Liga. The situation is made more urgent by Barcelona’s push to find budget-friendly reinforcements, and Partey’s proven pedigree fits the bill for new manager Hansi Flick
This transfer window is shaping up to be Arteta’s boldest yet. Alongside outgoings like Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira (loan to Porto), and Omar Rekik (contract termination), Arsenal have secured permanent deals for David Raya and Riccardo Calafiori, and are close to finalizing the signing of Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino. However, with Merino already sidelined through injury, Arteta’s need for depth remains critical. Fans are calling for a new winger to support Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, with names like Nico Williams and Raphinha being floated. Behind the scenes, Arteta continues to demand excellence—even pushing SoFi Stadium to replant grass a year in advance for Arsenal’s pre-season tour—proving he leaves no stone unturned in the Gunners’ pursuit of Premier League glory
