Mikel Arteta has made a number of changes to his side since taking over in December 2019, showing his willingness to pull the trigger on major deals.
It’s fair to say that Spaniard has shifted some of the deadwood around the club, while also taking bold choices he feels is best for the team, like in the case of Mesut Ozil.
No less than 14 players have actually departed the club, either permanently or on loan, in the 15 months or so that Arteta has been in charge at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal’s form has peaked and trough in that time, with Arteta showing that he can pick up some brilliant results at times.
But how are those 14 players that have departed fared since their respective moves? Mirror Football takes a closer look.
Emiliano Martinez
After eight years of bench warming at Arsenal, Martinez finally felt his time at the Gunners was up last summer after helping to FA Cup glory while Bernd Leno was injured.
Aston Villa splashed up to £20m for the Argentine, which is proving to be a good buy based on his performances so far this season.
Fee: £16m (potentially rising to £20m)
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Mkhitaryan never really got a chance to convince Arteta he should be kept around, making his loan move to Roma permanent last summer.
The Armenian has definitely fared much better in Italy, where he has scored 11 goals this season in all competitions.
Fee: Free
Matt Macey
Seven years at Arsenal and only two senior appearances, it’s a wonder Macey didn’t demand a move earlier than this January, when he joined Hibs on a free transfer.
Sadly for him, he’s not even first choice at Easter Road, and at 26 Macey might be wondering what to do next in his career.
Fee: Free
Sokratis Papastathopoulos
Centre-back Sokratis finally put an end to his turbulent spell in north London during the recent January transfer window, returning to Greece with Olympiacos.
Arsenal fans won’t have to wait long to see him again though, with the Greek champions facing the Gunners next in the Europa League.
Fee: Free
Mesut Ozil
It was a sad ending for Ozil at the Emirates Stadium as he was left completely out in the cold by Arteta for almost a full year before he was allowed to leave.
The German has gotten off to a slow start at Fenerbahce, but will be hoping more game time can bring some form and we’ll be able to see some of that Ozil magic before he decides to hang his boots up.
Fee: Free
Shkodran Mustafi
Another January release, Mustafi joined Bundesliga relegation battlers Schalke as a replacement for Liverpool-bound Ozan Kabak.
The German only has one appearance under his belt so far, however, and much like his career, Schalke seem to fizzling out.
Fee: Free
Sead Kolasinac
Kolasinac is also on the sinking ship at Schalke, and in a clear demonstration of how far the historic club have fallen, the Bosnian has already been made club captain - even though he’s on a loan deal!
It’s highly unlikely Kolasinac will ever play for Arsenal again, given that his contract expires in the summer, and he will be considering his next move.
Loan deal
Matteo Guendouzi
Another Bundesliga loan export, Arsenal were unable to sell hothead Guendouzi last summer, so shipped him off for the season to Hertha Berlin instead.
The Frenchman has been an ever-present since recovering from Covid in November, and will be hoping to steer Hertha away from the relegation zone before the end of the season.
Loan deal
Lucas Torreira
Despite making 29 Premier League appearances last season, Torreira clearly wasn’t in Arteta’s plans for this term, and was sent off to Atletico Madrid for the season.
The Uruguayan has been in and out of Diego Simeone’s like the Hokey Cokey, but ultimately started just three league games, and will be keen to return to England.
Loan deal
Konstantinos Mavropanos
Judging by his track record of two loan deals in the last 12 months, Mavropanos has also played his last game for Arsenal, with his deal up at the end of the season.
The Greek has enjoyed a decent run of games for Stuttgart in recent weeks, but suffered a torn meniscus in his first game for the club which ruled him out for almost two months.
Loan deal
William Saliba
Oh dear, oh dear. The Saliba-Arteta saga is one that has not made for pretty reading, and ultimately led to him being sent on loan for the season to Nice.
There’s no denying that the 19-year-old could still become a big hit at Arsenal - he certainly has the ability - but it’s all been a bit odd so far for the Frenchman.
Loan deal
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Unsure he was getting enough playing time to secure a place in the England team for this summer’s Euro’s, Maitland-Niles joined relegation battlers West Brom for the rest of this season loan.
His versatility makes him a real asset, and Sam Allardyce seems to be a fan, throwing him in at centre-mid for their last six games.
Loan deal
Joe Willock
Also seeking regular first team football, Willock joined Newcastle on a season-long loan in January, and he has been rewarded with five consecutive starts so far.
The 21-year-old definitely has a bright future back in the capital, and has impressed so far in the north east.
Loan deal
Dejan Iliev
Arsenal’s fourth choice goalkeeper Iliev joined Shrewsbury back in the October, but couldn’t get a game in League One, so decided to return to the club at the end of January.
At 26, the Macedonian is in a similar boat to Matt Macey, and with another year left on his contract, Iliev faces another turbulent year if he opts not to leave.
Loan deal
