Ben White (25, 2026)
OGDEN: I think he’s been overhyped this season and you need someone who is better than steady, which is what White is. If you sign a new right-back, he can be in the mix at centre-back.
Verdict: Keep
Takehiro Tomiyasu (24, 2025)
OGDEN: I think he’s better than White at right-back. And he can play centre-back too. He’s been injured, but I would give him a short extension now.
Verdict: Keep, and add one year extension
Nuno Tavares (23, 2025)
MARCOTTI: He’s been a regular at Marseille this season and, while he was inconsistent at Arsenal before, I think he can be a decent back up to Zinchenko at left-back.
Verdict: Keep
Auston Trusty (24, 2025)
MARCOTTI: He started almost every game for Birmingham City in the Championship, so there’s a player in there, but I’m not sure there’s any room for him at Arsenal right now. If Holding goes and you don’t bring in another defender, maybe the U.S. international can be a squad player, otherwise I’d look to shift him out on loan or on a permanent move.
Verdict: Loan or move out
Pablo Mari (29, 2024)
MARCOTTI: He’s had a good year on loan at Monza, despite an awful incident where he was stabbed by a deranged individual in a supermarket near Milan. Monza would be happy to keep him and he is reportedly set to join permanently for around €7m after they avoided relegation.
Verdict: Move out
Cedric Soares (31, 2024)
OGDEN: He hardly played this season, not for Arsenal and not for Fulham on loan in the second half of the season. He’s 31 in August, so they need to find a home for him.
Verdict: Loan or move out
MARCOTTI: I don’t think he has shown too many signs of development this year, mainly because he’s had very few starts. Arsenal paid €40m to sign him and he’s locked into a long-term deal. Unless Arteta thinks he can give him significantly more minutes next year, maybe it’s best to loan him out.
OGDEN: I think it would look bad to let him go on loan after a year when you paid so much to sign him. Give him another season to see what he can do and then assess the situation. It also depends on who they bring in.
Verdict: Keep or loan out
Albert Sambi Lokonga (23, 2026)
MARCOTTI: He hardly played in the first half of the season before going on loan to Crystal Palace, but I think he showed he can contribute. He offers fresh legs and depth to a midfield that is going to be needed next year.
Verdict: Keep
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (25, 2023)
Verdict: Release at the end of his contract
Marquinhos (20, 2027)
OGDEN: They’re not short on attacking players, you can let him go on loan and see if he develops. He played a fair amount for Norwich on loan in the second half of this year.
Verdict: Look to loan out
