Arsenalare expected to announce the appointment of Mikel Arteta as the club’s new manager today but the Spaniard could be forced into undertaking an overhaul of his squad in the Januarytransfer window.
The Gunners currently sit th in the Premier League and while they are seven points off the top-four places, they are also only the same number of points above the relegation zone
Arteta will be leaving his role as assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City to take up his first managerial position.
And one of his first tasks he is going to face is dealing with an unsettled Arsenal squad.
According to theIndependent, striker Alexandre Lacazette and midfielder Granit Xhaka are among several first-team players who are considering their future at the club.
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Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta could be forced into overhauling his squad in January(Image: GETTY)
The report also claimed that several sources say the feeling is spreading among “half the squad”.
It is not believed to be a response to the appointment of Arteta as the club’s new manager, but more to do with the general lack of direction the club currently appears to have.
Lacazette joi ned Arsenal back in 2018 for £ 90. 5m from Olympique Lyonnais and during his time at the north London club he has scored goals in 101 games.
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An ankle injury has limited his appearances this season but he still has six goals from 13 games in all competitions.
The Frenchman hasn’t declined in form since in swapping France for the UK and if Arsenal were to sell him they would no doubt be looking for more than what they paid for him.
As for Xhaka, the – year-old came close to having played his last game for the Gunners earlier in the season, when he was booed by fans as he was substituted during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.
Xhaka was annoyed by the reaction from the crowd and in response cupped his ea r to the fans, swore at the supporters and then quickly took off his shirt before he stormed off down the tunnel.
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Arsenal transfer news: Aubameyang has 18 months remaining on his £ 393, – a-week deal(Image: GETTY)
As a result of what happened Xhaka was stripped of his captaincy and subsequently issued an apology.
The report claims
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyangis also actively seeking an exit from the club, although the board hope Arteta will be able to resolve the current dressing-room unrest that has contributed to them only winning one match from their last (games.
Aubameyang has months remaining on his £ (******************************************************, – a-week deal and as it stands the – – year-old is in no rush to extend his current contract.
The Gabon international secured his move to the north London club in January (for £) ******************************************************** million from Borussia Dortmund, but has now reportedly become unsettled with the team’s failure to compete for major silverware this season.
If the club can not convince several of it’s current stars to stay then the Arsenal hierarchy realise that a significant clear-out may be needed.
Unai Emery was sacked after 18 months and the Gunners promoted first team assistant Freddie Ljungberg to interim manager in his place.
The club had hoped the Swede would be able to see out the end of the season while they conducted their search for a new manager, but the poor performances and attitudes from some players on and off the field has convinced the board that a new boss was needed now and a clear-out of some of player may be his only solution going forward.
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