7 Arsenal players ‘banished from first team training’ by Mikel Arteta

In a decisive move that has sent shockwaves through the footballing world, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reportedly banished seven players from the first-team training.

While the Gunners’ recent summer spree saw them acquire talent like Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber, Arteta’s sweeping changes reveal a commitment to restructuring his squad.

Redefining the Arsenal Roster:

Arteta’s ambitions for Arsenal’s resurgence have prompted substantial investments this summer, culminating in the signings of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber, a collective acquisition amounting to an astonishing £200 million.

Additionally, the club secured a goalkeeping boost by securing the services of David Raya from Brentford on loan, with a future purchase option.

However, the outgoing transfers have presented more challenges for Arteta in reshaping his roster. While Granit Xhaka’s departure to Bayer Leverkusen marked an early exit, the club also bid farewell to goalkeeper Matt Turner and Auston Trusty on permanent deals.

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Puzzling Developments:

As the transfer window unfolds, a cloud of uncertainty hovers over several players’ futures, most notably forward Folarin Balogun.

The 21-year-old talent has garnered attention from Chelsea, Fulham, and Monaco, with Arsenal placing a £40 million valuation on him.

Balogun’s absence from Arsenal’s initial fixtures was attributed to an injury, but a recent Instagram post hinted at his return to training at the esteemed London Colney facility.

However, intrigue deepens as it’s revealed that Balogun is just one of seven players relegated to separate training sessions.

Notably, Kieran Tierney, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, and Rob Holding have also been seen training away from the main group, signaling a strategic move by Arteta.

The Exiled Seven:

Sources confirm that Football Daily’s Connor Humm observed Balogun, Tierney, Lokonga, Tavares, and Holding undergoing separate training routines on Thursday. This departure from the norm has sparked discussions about Arteta’s intentions and the club’s future strategies.

Interestingly, both Nicolas Pepe and Cedric Soares, who spent the latter half of the previous season on loan, have been conspicuous by their absence from both the primary and the separate training groups. This omission raises questions about their status and potential futures at the club.

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Transfer Ripples:

The air is rife with speculation regarding the future destinations of the players affected by Arteta’s training reshuffle.

According to TalkSPORT, Brighton has expressed interest in Albert Sambi Lokonga, as they seek to fill the void left by Moises Caicedo’s departure to Chelsea for a staggering £115 million.

Nuno Tavares, on the other hand, has been linked to Nottingham Forest, adding another layer of intrigue to the transfer saga.

Furthermore, RMC Sport’s sources indicate that an unnamed Saudi Pro League team has set its sights on Nicolas Pepe, the once record-breaking signing for Arsenal. This revelation aligns with the club’s ambition to reinforce their squad before the transfer window concludes in a week’s time.

As the transfer window’s closure looms just seven days away, Arteta’s resolute decisions are likely to define Arsenal’s trajectory for the season ahead.

While concerns arise about the sidelined players’ futures, the club’s focus remains dual-pronged: completing any remaining transfer business and securing a suitable replacement for the sidelined Jurrien Timber.

Mikel Arteta’s bold and calculated actions have certainly set the football world abuzz, leaving fans and analysts alike eagerly awaiting the unveiling of Arsenal’s revamped lineup and renewed ambitions.

🚨| Kieran Tierney, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, Folarin Balogun and Rob Holding did NOT train with the rest of the Arsenal squad today.

They all trained separately…

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— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) August 24, 2023