Arsenal Transfers: 5 Players That Should Definitely Be Sold

5. Mikel Arteta

The 32-year-old midfielder has been at the club since deadline day in the summer of 2011, where he was amongst a group of players that arrived after the humiliating 8-2 defeat at Old Trafford. The Spaniard was a key figure and gave the Gunners a real boost, though things started to change after the departure of Alex Song. Song's transfer to Barcelona led to Arteta playing a deeper role in the Arsenal midfield, which he did adapt to but it is not where he is most effective. Unfortunately, with the likes of Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey ahead of him in the pecking order for a more attacking role, Arteta will not have an opportunity further forward in the Arsenal line-up again. This season in particular he has shown that he is not up to the required standard that Arsenal need in the holding role of midfield. Unlike Mathieu Flamini, Arteta is not a fierce tackler that will send shivers down his opponents spine and he has been known to dive into unnecessary tackles, picking up yellow cards that limit his later input in the match. He will be a great player for whoever gets his signature but his time at Arsenal has to come to an end, as he can no longer be what is needed and there are far better options available.