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Keep, sell or loan: Assessing the current Arsenal squad for 2020

By William Dodds

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on the touchline during the Premier League match at The Emirates Stadium, London. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on the touchline during the Premier League match at The Emirates Stadium, London. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 10: Bernd Leno of Arsenal celebrates after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal scores a goal to make it 2-0 during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on March 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 10: Bernd Leno of Arsenal celebrates after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal scores a goal to make it 2-0 during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on March 10, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

Goalkeepers

Bernd Leno – Outstanding all season barring one moment of madness against Chelsea. Has turned out to be a really shrewd piece of business and didn’t cost the earth and with a contract that doesn’t expire until 2023, should be an Arsenal player for years to come. The one concern the club might have is him having his head turned, but with Arteta on board and the new project in full swing, expect Leno to be between the sticks for the foreseeable future.

Verdict – Keep

Emiliano Martinez – A player that has been at Arsenal for a number of years, it seems as though Martinez has only just started to show his quality. An able deputy for Leno so far this year barring a few shaky moments in the EFL Cup 5-5 draw at Anfield, Martinez has proven himself as a worthy cup keeper. The only issue with him is that he may want to move on to find regular football. At 27, he has only made 86 professional appearances at club level and would surely be able to find a number one job at a top flight club in the summer. The ball is well as truly in his court on this one.

Verdict – Keep (if they can)

Dejan Iliev – Just returned from his loan spell in Slovakia, the 24-year-old would appear to not have much of a future at the Emirates Stadium. With Leno and Martinez not that much older that him and Arthur Okonkwo emerging behind, it would be best for him to move on.

Verdict – Sell

Matt Macey – Pretty much ditto with what I said about Iliev, although the club may want to keep one of them around depending on Okonkwo’s development. Because of the fact he has been around the squad so far this season as the number three, he is worth retaining until the summer when Arsenal are in a better position to assess the long-term prospects of the goalkeeper position

Verdict – Sell in the summer

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