Arsenal after a historic season: Who stays, who leaves?

Having waited 22 years to claim the Premier League title, Arsenal is determined not to relinquish their crown. Yet they must tackle a tough problem: How can they sustain their winning streak without disrupting a financial framework that is already strained?

The old saying "never change a winning team" is now outdated. To defend their championship, Arsenal will need to invest heavily to continue upgrading the squad. With a record spending of £251.4 million in the summer of 2025 and an additional £52 million already spent to permanently sign Piero Hincapie, the Gunners will have to carefully plan their restructuring moves while maintaining financial stability.

The immovable pillars

First of all, Arteta's contract, which expires in June 2027, needs to be renewed immediately. The Spanish manager has not only brought Arsenal back to the top of English football but also proven his tactical acumen: shifting from the free-flowing attacking style of previous seasons to a more pragmatic yet effective approach. A new deal would be not only a well-deserved recognition but also a guarantee that the club will stay on the right track in the transfer market.

David Raya also needs to be tied down. The 30-year-old goalkeeper has established himself as one of the best shot-stoppers in the Premier League. His contract runs until 2028, but Arsenal should start negotiations early to secure Raya's future until at least 2030 with a salary that befits one of the team's most important figures, alongside Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhães, Bukayo Saka, and William Saliba — players who are not for sale at any price.

Leandro Trossard, despite approaching 32, remains the kind of "difference-maker" Arsenal should keep. His versatility, efficiency, and ability to contribute from multiple positions off the bench make him a hard-to-replace option, especially if Arsenal only intends to spend £20-30 million on a replacement for the Belgian international. Similarly, Christian Nørgaard, though featuring less frequently, is a useful backup for Martin Zubimendi or Declan Rice. Splashing cash to replace this role would not be a wise move.

No longer required to play left-back, Myles Lewis-Skelly is gradually finding his place in central midfield. This is clearly his future after an impressive performance in the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid. Viktor Gyökeres, following a big summer investment, naturally remains the team's main attacking focal point.

Those who must be sacrificed for change

Captain Martin Odegaard has endured two disappointing seasons, plagued by injuries and a noticeable decline in form. More concerning is his tendency to play it safe, preferring to drop deep to orchestrate play rather than marauding in the opponent's final third as he did in his prime. The Norwegian midfielder's contract runs until 2028, and if Arsenal wants to sell, now is the optimal time. Odegaard's remaining book value is only about £10 million, meaning any offer above that is pure profit. If he leaves, Eberechi Eze and Ethan Nwaneri are ready to fill the gap.

Gabriel Jesus will also depart due to his high wages and lack of fit with the team's structure. It won't be easy to sell him, and the transfer fee received may not be large, but this is the time for Arsenal to cut financial burdens that no longer provide commensurate value.

Gabriel Martinelli, at 25, still has enough market appeal for Arsenal to recoup a decent fee. His playing time and performance quality both dropped last season, and with Noni Madueke in the squad, this trend is unlikely to reverse. Selling Martinelli is not an emotional decision but a sensible step to reinvest.

Kai Havertz is a subject of debate. If Arsenal decides to add a top-class striker like Julián Álvarez, selling the German international to recoup funds would be unavoidable. Although his high wages are a significant obstacle, the remaining book value of £24 million suggests Arsenal could still realize a certain profit if they part ways with Havertz.

Arsenal is in a stronger position than ever both in terms of squad and finances, but not without limits. No revolution is needed, but making the right decisions — "keep the right players, sell at the right time" — will determine whether they can defend their crown.