Arsenal aiming to offload six players before transfer window closes

Despite being less than a fortnight into the new season, Arsenal look to be heading towards crisis with technical director Edu and manager Mikel Arteta both reportedly facing a race against time to save their jobs.

After two 2-0 defeats from their opening two games, the Gunners sit in the relegation zone ahead of a trip to Manchester City on Saturday, and could be bottom by that afternoon.

Now, with the club having spent over £120 million so far this summer on Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares, it appears that there could be something of an exodus of the club’s squad.

Despite significant spending this summer, Joe Willock is the only senior player to have departed for a fee, believed to have been around £26.5 million.

With veteran winger Willian looking set to return to Brazil on a free transfer after an uninspiring spell in North London, it appears that Arteta could be ready to let a host of players depart before the deadline on August 31.

According to the Evening Standard, as many as six members of the current first team squad could follow Willock and Willian out of the Emirates exit door.

The report suggests that Hector Bellerin, who has been heavily linked with a move away all summer, could still end his decade-long stay with the club.

Arsenal are believed to favour a permanent sale for the Spaniard, rather than a loan move.

Meanwhile, Sead Kolasinac could also be on his way out, however the Gunners are aware that his £100,00-per-week wages could prove to be an obstacle in offloading him.

Young English trio Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah are also all being linked with a move away.

Maitland-Niles, who spent the second half of last season on loan at West Brom, and Nelson could both be the subject of last-minute moves from clubs in the bottom half of the table.

Nketiah has missed the start of the season through injury, and could leave Arsenal this week.

Nketiah, meanwhile, has been heavily linked with a move across the capital to Crystal Palace.

The final player believed to be on his way out of the club is Lucas Torreira.

The Uruguayan midfielder featured regularly for the club under Unai Emery, but spent last season on loan with Atletico Madrid where he won the La Liga title.

Having returned to his parent club, however, it has become apparent that he is not in Arteta’s plans and a loan move to Fiorentina, with an option to buy, now looks likely.

It is believed that Kieran Trippier remains a target for the Gunners, despite the £34 million price tag given to him by Atletico.

The sales of the likes of Torreira and Bellerin could, therefore, generate funds to make a late move for the England full-back.