Mikel Arteta axes three Arsenal stars in transfer revamp
Mikel Arteta has told three Arsenal stars they can leave as his squad revamp gathers pace ahead of the new season. Jakub Kiwior, Karl Hein and Leandro Trossard have already been cleared out, creating space for upgrades as Arteta pushes to keep the Gunners competitive. The latest mikel arteta arsenal transfer moves underline a ruthless clear-out designed to lift first-team quality before the window closes on September 1.
Key Takeaways
- Arteta has already axed Jakub Kiwior, Karl Hein and Leandro Trossard from Arsenal's summer plans.
- Kiwior joined Porto permanently, Hein made his Werder Bremen loan permanent, and Trossard moved to Besiktas for £17m.
- Christos Tzolis arrived for £34m as Trossard's left-wing successor, taking summer spend to £68.5m.
- Around £180m of a £250m budget remains, with a forward, midfielder and defender still targeted.
- Further exits could include Christian Norgaard, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and potentially Ethan Nwaneri.
Who are the three Arsenal players Arteta has axed?
According to the Mirror, defender Jakub Kiwior was the first shown the door. The Poland international completed a permanent switch to Porto earlier this month for £14.6million plus add-ons after a loan spell in Portugal last season.
His path was blocked by Piero Hincapie, signed as a like-for-like upgrade and later made permanent for £34.5m after starring in Arsenal's title-winning campaign.
Reserve goalkeeper Karl Hein has also left permanently for Werder Bremen this month, with the deal green-lit by Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta. The 24-year-old Estonia international's only Arsenal appearance came in an EFL Cup tie against Brighton in November 2022.
The highest-profile exit is Leandro Trossard's £17m move to Besiktas, confirmed last week. Aged 31 and with 12 months left on his contract, Arteta judged it the right time to cash in after the Belgian's late-season title contribution.
Why does this mikel arteta arsenal transfer clear-out matter?
Arteta entered the window knowing Arsenal must raise squad quality to defend the Premier League crown. Offloading players judged below the required standard is step one; buying upgrades is step two.
Christos Tzolis, 24, has been signed from Club Brugge for £34m to cover the left flank after 51 goal involvements in 52 matches last term. Goalkeeping depth now includes Tommy Setford, Kepa Arrizabalaga and free signing Illan Meslier, who joined from Leeds United on a two-year deal.
The deals may lack £100m headlines, but they signal shrewd business from Arteta and Berta as the Celebrity Breaking News beat tracks a busy Emirates rebuild.
Which other Arsenal exits and signings could follow?
More departures are expected. Names floated for the green light include Christian Norgaard, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and potentially Ethan Nwaneri.
Roughly £180m of Arteta's £250m summer budget is still unspent. A world-class forward, a central midfielder and a defender are expected before the September 1 deadline, keeping the mikel arteta arsenal transfer story firmly in focus through the rest of the window.