Arsenal have been busy in the transfer market thus far this summer, with Andrea Berta moving quickly and decisively to secure six players.
Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard have all completed switches to North London, while Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres and Cristhian Mosquera are on the verge of signing for the Gunners.
Attention will now turn to outgoings for Berta, with several squad players needing to be moved on.
Reiss Nelson is wanted by Fulham, while the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira and Sambi Lokonga could all leave N5.
However, a shock exit for a core member of Mikel Arteta’s squad could be on the cards, as the Gunners look to raise funds for one more offensive acquisition.
Ben White could be in trouble at Arsenal after Cristhian Mosquera signing
Jurrien Timber was excellent for Arsenal last season, delivering consistently brilliant performances at right-back in his first injury-free campaign at the Emirates.
As a result of the Dutchman’s superb form, Ben White may find it difficult to win his place back on the right-hand side of the Gunners’ defence.
White has done little wrong, but a lengthy injury absence may have cost him his indispensable status in Arteta’s team.
The Englishman may have hoped to be granted minutes at centre-back, but the arrival of one of the North Londoners’ new signings likely rules this out.
Mosquera will sign for Arsenal for £17 million, and the young Spaniard is expected to be the primary back-up option to William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Now the third choice right-centre-back in Arsenal’s squad, and arguably the back-up right-back, White’s minutes may take a significant hit next campaign, based on where he was prior to last season.
This more peripheral role could prompt the Gunners to cash in on the former Brighton man, who would no doubt have an abundance of suitors, this summer or next.
Arsenal should sell Gabriel Martinelli instead of Ben White
If Arsenal do have to sell one of their more important players to balance the books within the next 12 months, it should be Gabriel Martinelli and not White.
Martinelli has been linked with Bayern Munich, while Saudi Pro-League clubs have also expressed an interest in the 23-year-old.
The Brazilian would therefore garner a larger fee than White, while he’s also more dispensable than his defensive counterpart.
While Timber may just about be the first-choice at right-back, Arteta will no doubt want to rotate the two players in and out so that they can remain fresh.
White can also offer more going forward on the overlap than the Netherlands international, and may be the preferred option against low blocks.
Meanwhile, Martinelli is upgradeable and his development has stalled significantly in recent seasons.
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