Arsenal ready to sell Hale End talent

A long time key player on Arteta's side, Emil Smith Rowe has been struggling for playing time recently. Getty Images/Catherine Eville

Miquel Arteta made his first public appearance as Arsenal manager on the day of his appointment in December 2019, when asked what he had learned from Pep Guardiola during his time as an assistant manager at Manchester City. Arteta paused briefly, considering his response before saying, “Basically, I learned to be ruthless.”

At the time, that seemed like a promise. And Arteta certainly stayed true to his word over the next three years as he and sporting director Edu changed Arsenal's line-up by bluntly removing unwanted players. There was no time for sentiment in north London, where star players were sent and big contracts were cancelled.

Now that the club's redevelopment project is entering its next phase, this relentless streak looks set to be reborn. Arsenal are once again a Champions League club and the demands on their players are about to rise to new heights. They will target more elite talent to help them compete in Europe's main competitions, and will only need those who can make a significant impact on the first team.

Among those looking most vulnerable this summer are the many academy graduates who have moved up to the senior team over the past few years. These players have played a key role in Arsenal's recovery in recent seasons, but the train is moving fast and it's becoming increasingly clear that not all of them will be able to stay on board.

Such thoughts can be uncomfortable. with Arsenal supporters. This, however, is the reality of the current situation at the club. “The DNA of Arsenal is important, of course, but quality at Champions League level is just as important. Now is the time for performance, not potential.

One of the academy graduates in the first team has already confirmed that he is leaving the club. Ainsley Maitland-Niles has spent this season on loan at Southampton and as his contract with Arsenal expires this summer he will not be returning.

Reiss Nelson's contract also expired at the end of this season. Talks are ongoing over his future, but it wouldn't be surprising if he also left, especially with Arsenal targeting a high-profile winger (Telegraph Sport understands they are among the clubs that have shown interest in Bayer Leverkusen's Moussa Diaby from Leverkusen).

Folarin Balogun, who has been on loan in France this season, could also be sold. The 21-year-old has scored 18 goals in Ligue 1 and is clearly ready for regular first-team appearances. With Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah ahead of him at Arsenal, he is unlikely to find him under Arteta.

Charlie Patino, the highly regarded midfielder who scored on his first team debut last season, plans to leave on an ongoing basis. Arsenal are looking to establish themselves in central midfield this summer and the 19-year-old's path to regular first action appears to be blocked.

Arsenal have yet to make progress in Saliba contract negotiations

And then there's Emile Smith-Roe, who has played such an important role in Arsenal's development over the past few years. Without Smith Rowe, who changed Arteta's course with his performances in the winter of 2020/21, Arsenal and their manager would not be where they are today. But he hardly participated in the second half of this season, despite being in good shape, and his future looks increasingly uncertain.

For these young players, a lot depends on the timing. For example, if Patino had been born a few years earlier, he could very well have landed on the team that Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka helped reshape a few seasons ago. At that point, Arsenal were struggling to even qualify for the Europa League and they needed young talent to lift their spirits. However, now that Champions League football is secured, Arsenal can no longer risk teenagers.

Charlie Patino is very rated, but it is expected to fly from Emirates. Photo: Getty Images/David Price

So the task for the academy, run by former defender Per Mertesacker, is harder than ever, but that doesn't mean selling alumni is bad news for the club. Internally, this is seen as a sign of their development, and one must also consider the financial importance of capitalizing on young players.

This weekend, Arsenal will face Joe Willock, who joined the club as a child. and was sold to Newcastle United for over £20m in 2021. The midfielder's success since his move has made him a win-win for all parties involved (he didn't suit Arteta stylistically) and Arsenal can only hope for similar results with other academy players who don't become first-team regulars.

Arteta wants to keep the young British core, while Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale are close to signing new contracts. But the demands on Arsenal's players are rising and as the roster evolves, not all of their academy stars will be considered ready for what's to come.