Arsenal have had a busy January transfer window with uncertainties still hanging over the futures of some first team players.
The Gunners confirmed the loan signing of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid on Wednesday after completing their search for a creative midfield, while Mat Ryan arrived on loan from Brighton to bolster the goalkeeping area.
Sead Kolasinac and William Saliba both left on loan earlier in the window, while Mesut Ozil and Sokratis Papastathopoulos departed after being exiled from the Premier League and Europa League squads.
But there's still work to do. There are players who are unlikely to get many minutes from now until the end of the season and others who are hoping to seal an exit before Monday's transfer deadline.
football.london takes a look at the four players who could leave before the transfer window closes at 23:00 GMT on 1 February.
Reiss Nelson
Nelson is one of Arsenal's most exciting talents but he's failed to kick on this season due to a mixture of injury problems and having his pathway to the first team blocked by Nicolas Pepe.
He hasn't made the squad in the last two games and while manager Mikel Arteta has labelled him as a 'special talent' in the past, Nelson is keen on seeking regular playing time and is understood to be open to leaving on loan.
“That’s a conversation that we are having with the players that are not having a lot of time,” Arteta said.
“Obviously we want to keep their development going and we will make decision in the next three days with some of them on what the best thing is to do. We try to be clear and transparent with what the plans are and their roles in the team. And after that, we decide on the best thing for the players and the club.”
Bayer Leverkusen and Hertha Berlin have shown interest in the past, but having already spent time on loan in the Bundesliga it might be more beneficial to find a Premier League club who can offer Nelson regular game time.
Shkodran Mustafi
As revealed by football.london, Arsenal have held talks with Mustafi this month over ending his contract early on similar terms to Ozil and Sokratis.
Mustafi hasn't started a league game for Arsenal this season neither has he been involved in a squad since Boxing Day.
The German international has six months left on his contract and Arteta admitted in his pre-match press conference for the Manchester United game that conversations are continuing with his representatives.
"We are having conversations internally with the player and agent," he said.
"We will see what the right solution is for this one as well.
"We are monitoring the situation, I cannot say much more than that. We have conversations ongoing and we'll see what's the best decision at the end of the transfer window."
Serie A side Lazio have also been linked with Mustafi, while Premier League champions Liverpool are the latest team to be mentioned as they look to strengthen an area where they are depleted in.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Maitland-Niles is another player frustrated with his lack of minutes at Arsenal this season.
After initially winning over Arteta with his performances towards the back end of last campaign, he has now fallen out of favour with the Gunners boss.
The 23-year-old wants to go to the Euros this summer with England and football.london understands that he could leave on loan before the window closes.
"Yes, it is a concern when there is international football involved as well and the chance to reach that opportunity," said Arteta.
"I understand that Ainsley wants more minutes and what he needs to do is fight, train and challenge his teammates and show us that he can be one of our starters."
West Brom have made enquiries and want to sign Maitland-Niles on loan, while Southampton have also been linked.
Alex Runarsson
The Icelandic goalkeeper has not made an appearance for Arsenal since making calamitous errors in the Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester City in December.
Arsenal brought in Mat Ryan on loan for Brighton until the rest of the season which has pushed Runarsson out to third choice goalkeeper.
His agent is keen on finding him some regular game time away from the club but Arteta suggested last week that he is considering to keep him.
"That area of the squad needs three goalkeepers and they need to compete with each other, challenge each other and everyone will get their role,” he said.
“After you have your role, you just have to support each other again to get the best out of each other. This is the role, come here and try to make it better.”
