Rio Ferdinand expects Mikel Arteta to make big changes at Arsenal this summer, with players coming in and going out of the club.
The Gunners suffered another huge blow to their hopes of securing Champions League football for next season after their 2-1 defeat at Brighton.
Neal Maupay’s late winner at the AMEX Stadium saw the hosts come from behind after Nicolas Pepe’s opener, and put a huge dent in the visitors’ European ambitions.
It was Arsenal’s second defeat of the week as the Premier League returned to action after the three-month hiatus, with Arteta’s side falling to a 3-0 loss at Manchester City on Wednesday night.
Their latest result leaves them eight points behind Chelsea in fourth and six behind Manchester United in fifth, with just eight games remaining in the season.
Another defeat leaves a big dent after the Gunners had looked to have rediscovered some form before the Premier League’s suspension, resurrecting their hopes of a place in the top four.
With those ambitions looking over now, Ferdinand expects Arteta to ring the changes – if he gets the chance to do so – in the transfer window.
“There’s a massive reshuffling of the pack,” Ferdinand told BT Sport.
“I think he (Arteta) knew that before he got there, he’ll be even more aware of that now because of the performances of some individuals.
“The bigger surprise for him, reading between the lines, is the application around the training field and how that isn’t being replicated out on the pitch.
“I think there’s going to be big changes there. I think he’ll need the cheque book to open to be able to splash some cash, but also get some players out.
“Big players, who are on big money, who aren’t suited to what he wants and what his desires are for this football club. He’s going to have to move people.”
