Arsenal’s summer transfer business depends on the futures of two attackers – Mikel Arteta must make a decision

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Arsenal’s summer transfer business could depend on the futures of Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling, Arsenal Insider sources understand.

Arsenal are enduring something of an injury crisis in their forward department at the moment, with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli all out with various fitness issues.

This means that Trossard and Sterling are both set to play prominent roles for Mikel Arteta in the remainder of the season, before their time at the club will be assessed in the summer.

Previous reports have suggested that a decision is yet to be made on Sterling, while Trossard is among those that could leave.

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Arsenal’s transfer business could depend on Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling

Arsenal are expected to be busy in the summer transfer window, with a new striker understood to be the primary concern.

Martin Zubimendi is also expected to arrive from Real Sociedad, while a back-up goalkeeper is also on the agenda.

As well as all of this, Arsenal also want a winger, although this may be contingent on outgoings.

Speaking to Arsenal Insider, TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey revealed that the futures of Trossard and Sterling could determine whether a wide player or multiple wide players will be added to Arteta’s ensemble.

“Obviously I think a striker is the main priority,” Bailey said.

“I think a lot of it depends on the future of Trossard as well. We know EtSterling is going, but they did want one as well when Sterling came in. So when he goes back, there will be room for one to come in.”

Sterling leaving when his loan expires will certainly open a squad space for another attacker, although it’s possible that this space won’t be for a marquee addition, and more for another sporadic squad player on a similarly modest wage to the Chelsea loanee.

However, if Trossard departs, then there may be room for a statement winger signing.

Bailey added: “It’ll be interesting to see where they go, they’re doing their work on that position. Ideally they would like a striker or a wide man/forward to come in as well, because we know Gabriel Jesus won’t be fit for the start of the season.”

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Ethan Nwaneri’s development could also impact potential winger signing

Another thing to consider is the rapid development of Ethan Nwaneri.

Nwaneri has impressed on the right-wing in Saka’s absence, although the sample size is still too minimal to let his presence inform the approach in the transfer window.

However, if the teenager continues to excel out wide, it’s plausible that Arsenal don’t spend on a winger and instead allocate more resources to the centre-forward position.

Speaking on Nwaneri, Bailey said: “Obviously with Nwaneri, they’d love to have that scenario where, the same as [Myles] Lewis-Skelly – they can let [Kieran] Tierney and [Oleksandr] Zinchenko go without signing a replacement.

“Will Arsenal let Sterling go and then they’ve got Nwaneri there to come in? As I mentioned, Trossard. Do they let him go and let Nwaneri become the answer out there? Knowing that Gabriel Jesus is coming back, and if they sign another striker, they may find themselves with enough options.

“If Nwaneri keeps on track now, that may be a consideration. Do we spend £50 million on Nico Williams, or a Mohammed Kudus for example, or do we give Nwaneri the opportunity to start the season as a first-choice option?”