Five Arsenal stars who have just a handful of games to save their futures including Smith Rowe and forgotten transfer
WITH the end of the season approaching, Arsenal remain in the hunt for Premier League and Champions League glory.
But some players are focused on fighting for their future as well as getting their hands on silverware.
Mikel Arteta‘s side have a congested fixture list to content during the run-in.
The Gunners have season-defining games such as their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich and clashes with Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United still to come.
Arteta could need to use his squad depth and that will give a few fringe players a handful of games to prove they are worth keeping next year.
SunSport take a look at five Arsenal players who are in danger of being axed this summer.
Aaron Ramsdale
Future appearances in an Arsenal kit appear limited for Ramsdale amid his desire for regular starts.
David Raya was signed from Brentford before the start of the season and after the England star made a few mistakes, the Spaniard has been the first choice between the sticks.
His heroics against Porto in the shoot-out only strengthened his hold on the position.
And Ramsdale‘s recent error against the Bees when his clearance was charged down by goalscorer Yoane Wissa showed his time at the Emirates is all-but over.
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Given injuries and red cards, the much-loved back-up keeper could still have a part to play, although several Premier League clubs will be preparing bids for the 25-year-old assuming he will be off either way.
Fabio Vieira
Vieira has become somewhat of a forgotten man at Arsenal and it is safe to say his £30million move from Porto hasn’t worked out.
The midfielder has missed 16 games this term due to a groin injury, starting just three times in all competitions.
Vieira, 23, is a player with talent but has fallen down the pecking order.
It seems unlikely he will make it beyond the summer window as an Arsenal player unless he can come up with a big goal on the club’s route to a trophy.
There is interest in Vieira, whose contract doesn’t expire until 2027, from sides abroad.
Emile Smith Rowe
It has been another season plagued by injury for Smith Rowe and his days at Arsenal look numbered.
Similarly to Vieira, the attacking midfielder has huge potential but has started just three matches this season.
Smith Rowe, 23, scored ten Prem goals just two seasons ago and he could be called upon off the bench should the Gunners find themselves struggling to break down an opponent during the run-in.
And he needs to perform a miracle to avoid the axe amid previous interest from the likes of Aston Villa and West Ham.
Smith Rowe could also help fund a revamp of the squad this summer as financially, selling him would count as 100 per cent profit due to him being a homegrown star.
Reiss Nelson
Nelson penned a contract extension last summer but it would be no surprise to see the club cash in this time around.
The 24-year-old winger has been in the starting XI just once across both the Prem and Champions League this season.
Nelson is surplus to requirements and it would take an injury to a key man like Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli for him to be handed a chance in the remainder of the campaign.
His best moment in a Gunners shirt came when he scored a last-gasp winner in the 3-2 victory over Bournemouth last season.
He has to come up with something similar to avoid being sold amid interest from Brighton.
Eddie Nketiah
Nketiah is often amongst the goals but there is a feeling he’s not quite good enough to lead the line for a title-challenging side.
Arteta has found a way to get his team scoring prolifically without a recognised number nine and Gabriel Jesus remains his first choice striker.
It would be no surprise to see Arsenal enter the transfer market for a new goalscorer this summer and part of the move could be funded by the sale of Nketiah.
Wolves and Crystal Palace have previously expressed an interest.
Nketiah will be hoping for a big moment off the bench in the run-in to make the club want to keep him.
