As we close in on the end of the season, we thought it would be good to cast our eye over the futures of the Arsenal stars who are nearing the end of their current contracts.

It appears that there could well be a number of first-team players leaving in the next 15 months unless extensions are given out.

There are six Gunners stars whose contracts expire either at the end of this season or in 2022 so we have decided to take a look at their situations.

David Luiz

As things stand, the 33-year-old will be leaving the Emirates when his current deal expires in June. Reports last month suggested that a new contract is dependent on him agreeing that he’ll get limited game time next season.

The Gunners are thought to be keen to keep Luiz around so he can mentor some of the squad’s younger players but the Brazilian may still have ambitions of playing regularly. He has previously expressed the desire to return and play for Benfica so that could be an avenue he explores if he doesn’t fancy being a squad player. Verdict – Leaving
Folarin Balogun

The striker has admitted his frustration at his lack of first-team chances in recent days and he’ll be looking to showcase his talents over the next week when he captains England at the Under 21 Championships.

Nketiah will have one year remaining on his current contract in the summer and the feeling is, at the moment, that he will be sold to raise funds for other purchases. Verdict – Leaving

Calum Chambers

The defender’s future is far harder to predict simply because of his recent fitness problems. He was man of the match versus West Ham at the weekend but his limited minutes since returning from a serious knee injury would suggest he isn’t part of Arteta’s long-term plans.

That could, of course, change between now and the end of the season. If Chambers continues to put in impressive performances like he did against the Hammers, an extension beyond 2022 could be in the offing. Verdict – Staying

Alexandre Lacazette

The Frenchman is a player whose attributes and attitude are very much appreciated by Arteta but there are certain factors that may push the striker towards the exit door.

Lacazette has a number of clubs interested in him, including the likes of Atletico Madrid and Roma, and combined with the fact he is now 29 years of age, Arsenal may think it is time to cash in with one year remaining on his current deal. Verdict – Leaving

Mohamed Elneny

After impressing at the start of the season, the Egyptian international’s form has deteriorated as the campaign has gone on, and with reports linking the Gunners with a move for Real Betis’s Guido Rodriguez, there’s unlikely to be room for the midfielder in the squad beyond the summer.

With 12 months left to go on Elneny’s current deal, you would have to think a sale is on the cards. Verdict – Leaving

Mikel Arteta believes this summer could be defining as Arsenal aim to close the gap on the teams above them.

The Gunners added several new faces last summer but are no closer to achieving their ambitions.

Thomas Partey and Gabriel both arrived but Arteta may now be looking to retain some of his young stars.

Several academy graduates have become vital first team members and need to have their futures sorted.

Arteta will also be looking to keep Martin Odegaard, who is on loan from Real Madrid.

Here are the latest transfer rumours from north London.

The midfielder made a January loan move and has been an instant hit in the north east.

However, the Arsenal boss wants the midfielder back in north London in the summer.

He said: “He has a chance. He’s a player we really like, so, at the end of the season, he’ll come back here, and then we’ll make the decision again for what is best to move forward.”

Arteta declaration

Arteta has declared that this summer could be defining for the Gunners as they aim to close the gap on the league’s elite.

Arsenal are some way off the pace domestically and will need reinforcements.

Asked if it could be the most important summer in years, the Gunners boss replied: “Yes.

“Because a lot of things have happened in the last few transfer windows. There are a lot of players in various situations. It’s crucial.

“We want to go to the next level and there are a lot of things we need to do to get there.”

Folarin Balogun has signed a new long-term deal with Arsenal, the club have confirmed.

The 19-year-old forward, nicknamed ‘Flo’ at The Emirates, was approaching the final months of his contract in north London but has now committed his long-term future to the Gunners.

Having been at the club since the age of nine, Balogun is now determined to follow the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka in nailing down a first-team role and firmly believes he will have the chances to repay the faith placed in him.

‘So I came here at nine,” Balogun told Arsenal Media. ‘I remember being at Hale End and coming into the training ground for the first time and seeing all the older boys training and I was just thinking to myself,

‘These are the same guys you see on TV.’ ‘From that age, straight away, I just had a drive and ambition to be that guy eventually. As time has gone on, I’ve seen loads of different coaches help me in my career. Now I could just see that the work I’ve put in over the years is starting to pay off.

🔐 @fbalogun67 is here to stay!

Our @ArsenalAcademy graduate has signed a new long-term contract with the club ✍️

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 26, 2021

Kwame Ampadu, when I first came here at [under] 18s, he showed me tough love. But it was definitely something I needed at the time. Even now, Steve Bould he’s managed me really well this season, making sure that I took more of a leadership role, which is something I need to learn as well.

‘My ambitions for next season are to make an impact in the first team. I see it as something that I’ve taken upon myself to be able to go over there and make an impact, not just be one of the numbers. ‘I want to be somebody who eventually leads that group, so I would say I have quite driven ambitions. We’ll see if I can make them happen.’

‘We have been extremely impressed with Flo this season,’ Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said.

‘He has continually shown his natural ability in many training sessions with us and we have been equally impressed with his early integration into the first-team squad on matchdays.

‘He has given us glimpses with the performances and of course with his two goals already for the first team. The hard work starts here for Flo and we are all looking forward to supporting and working with him in the years to come.’