At a Glance:
- Nigel Winterburn spoke exclusively to ReadArsenal, via Gambling.com
- The former left-back discussed several players who he thinks could leave Arsenal this summer.
- He also identified the two key players in Mikel Arteta’s dressing room.
Nigel Winterburn left Arsenal for West Ham United in the summer of 2000 as a certified Gunners legend – and now he’s hoping several of Mikel Arteta’s current crop of players can depart North London in a similar vein in a few months.
The former left-back made over 500 appearances for Arsenal, winning three league titles and a handful of domestic cup competitions. Bowing out by passing the torch to Ashley Cole, he left Highbury as the most coveted player in his position in the Gunners’ history, joining West Ham for £250,000.
The current Arsenal team are embroiled in an intense Premier League title race with Manchester City, and given how long it’s been since the North Londoners last won this piece of silverware, several players have the opportunity to write their names in the history books by parading the trophy along the Islington streets in May.
Speaking exclusively to ReadArsenal via Gambling.com, who help you find the safest online casinos, Winterburn discussed potential exits for a handful of Arsenal’s players, as well as identifying the two stars he believes hold everything together for Arteta’s team.
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Nigel Winterburn on potential Arsenal exits this summer
Arsenal are set for something of a squad reset this summer. Several players are being linked with a move away from the Emirates, with only a handful of key players being dubbed ‘untouchable’ by the Gunners’ hierarchy.
The likes of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Ben White and Martin Odegaard are all potentially up for sale, in what could be the biggest squad mix-up in N5 for years.
When asked about specific players leaving this summer, Winterburn suggested Arsenal might look for a backup goalkeeper, hinting that Kepa Arrizabalaga could be on his way out. The Gunners legend then urged Andrea Berta to keep Lewis-Skelly and Havertz, although he admitted that Gabriel Jesus’ departure may have to be sanctioned due to limited game time and injury concerns.
Regarding Martinelli, Winterburn indicated uncertainty over the Brazilian’s future, suggesting that the left-hand side of Arsenal’s attack could be an area for strengthening. The ex-England international claimed that an addition in this position is likely to lead to either Martinelli or Trossard leaving.
Indeed, Arsenal have been heavily linked with Paris Saint-Germain’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, as well as Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon.
Nigel Winterburn names Arsenal’s two most important players
While there are several players whose services are no longer essential to Arsenal’s success, there are a few who the Gunners simply cannot do without. Among them are Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes, both of whom have been singled out by Winterburn as the key cogs in Arteta’s squad.
When discussing Arsenal’s upcoming crucial matches, Winterburn emphasised that the team’s group mentality and resilience would be tested. Whilst doing so, he identified Rice and Gabriel as key players who provide leadership in the dressing room, and who ultimately hold the team together.
Rice is enjoying a stellar season and is in line for a place in the PFA Team of the Year, while Gabriel is set to start at the heart of Brazil’s defence at the World Cup.
Winterburn concluded that while a poor performance against City on Sunday would lead to significant questions about the season, it was too early to discuss potential changes to the team or management.
