Arsenal Confirms Release of 19 Players Including Mohamed Elneny
Arsenal has officially announced the release of 19 players from the club as their current contracts expire at the end of June. This major decision marks a significant reshaping of the squad by manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Key Departures: Mohamed Elneny and Cedric Soares
Among the notable departures are long-serving Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny and Portuguese full-back Cedric Soares. Both players will be free to join new teams as free agents from June 30.
- Mohamed Elneny: Joined Arsenal in 2016 from Basel and made 161 appearances in all competitions. The 31-year-old saw limited action this season, featuring only six times, as Thomas Partey and Declan Rice were preferred in the holding midfield role.
- Cedric Soares: Arrived from Southampton in 2020 and played 64 times for the Gunners. The 31-year-old full-back also struggled for game time, appearing just six times this season.
Other Notable Exits
- Arthur Okonkwo: The 22-year-old goalkeeper, who impressed on loan at Wrexham, is also set to leave. Okonkwo has expressed his gratitude for his time at Arsenal, spanning from the age of eight to 22, but is eager to continue his career elsewhere for more regular playing opportunities.
Players in Negotiations
Despite the extensive list of departures, Arsenal remains in talks with several players about potential contract extensions. These include:
- Amario Cozier-Duberry: Attacking midfielder
- Karl Hein: Goalkeeper
- Reuell Walters: Defender, who is reportedly considering leaving for more first-team opportunities
Full List of Released Players
- Mauro Bandeira
- Omari Benjamin
- Luis Brown
- Catalin Cirjan
- Noah Cooper
- Henry Davies
- Ovie Ejeheri
- Mohamed Elneny
- Taylor Foran
- Hubert Graczyk
- James Hillson
- Henry Jeffcott
- Tyreece John-Jules
- Alex Kirk
- James Lannin-Sweet
- Arthur Okonkwo
- Kamarni Ryan
- Cedric Soares
- Kido Taylor-Hart
Future Prospects
With the release of these players, Arsenal is poised for a significant squad overhaul. The departures of Elneny and Soares, in particular, signify a shift towards integrating new talents and potentially new signings. The club’s decision reflects a strategic move to build a more competitive squad capable of challenging for top honors next season.
As Arsenal fans await further developments, the focus will now be on how Arteta and Edu utilize this opportunity to bring in fresh talent and strengthen the squad. The upcoming transfer window will be crucial for the Gunners as they aim to close the gap with their rivals and push for success in domestic and European competitions.
Arsenal Confirms Release of 19 Players Including Mohamed Elneny
