--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-07-24T20:26:44.347Z last_updated: 2026-07-24T03:30:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/arsenal/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZm9vdGJhbGwubG9uZG9uL2Fyc2VuYWwtZmMvbmV3cy9hcnNlbmFsLXRyYW5zZmVyLW5ld3MtdHJvc3NhcmQta2l3aW9yLTM0MzMwNjYx --- # Mikel Arteta has told three Arsenal players they can leave as overhaul continues - **Source:** - **Published:** 24 Jul - **Club:** Arsenal - **Original URL:** https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/arsenal-transfer-news-trossard-kiwior-34330661 One of the Gunners’ key objectives this summer has been to improve the quality of the first-team. That can be achieved in two ways: Firstly, by selling players who are not deemed to be of the standard required and, secondly, to make signings which add something Arteta’s side lacks. The first player Arteta allowed to depart was Jakub Kiwior, who made his move to Porto permanent at the start of this month for £14.9million plus add-ons, having spent last season on loan with the Portuguese side. It comes after Piero Hincapie was brought in as an upgrade at the start of the 2025/26 campaign. FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page Hincapie became a fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium last term thanks to his reliable and passionate defending, which proved pivotal to their title success and saw him secure his own £34.5m permanent switch to N5 last month. He provided a like-for-like replacement for Kiwior in terms of a physically impressive defender capable of playing at centre-back and left-back - only better. Yet, the Pole knew his playing time in north London would be limited even prior to Hincapie’s arrival last summer, and he was allowed to pursue new pastures by Arteta. Similarly, former reserve goalkeeper Karl Hein made his loan switch to Werder Bremen permanent this month. The 24-year-old made his debut for the first-team in the EFL Cup third round against Brighton back in November 2022. However, that remained his sole appearance for the Gunners as he couldn’t break into the team. Hein, Estonia’s first-choice goalkeeper at international level since 2020, was sent out on loan to Reading, Real Valladolid and Werder Bremen, with his stint in Germany being sanctioned last term. He was confirmed as making a permanent move to Bremen back in May, showing he was also surplus to requirements, with the deal being approved by Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta. In his place, Arsenal have several back-ups to David Raya, including 20-year-old Tommy Setford, Kepa Arrizabalaga and the newly-signed Illan Meslier, who was landed on a free transfer from Leeds United earlier this month, having penned a two-year deal. Perhaps the most high-profile departure this summer has been Leandro Trossard’s £17m move to Besiktas, announced last week. The Belgian played a crucial part in Arsenal winning the title at the back end of last season, but his exit was not necessarily a surprise. Aged 31 and with only a year left on his Arsenal deal, it was, in Arteta’s eyes, the perfect time to move on Trossard for a fee while allowing the opportunity to upgrade the left-wing position with new blood. Christos Tzolis has been signed as Trossard’s replacement for a fee of £34m, bringing Arsenal’s summer expenditure to £68.5m. The Greek winger, 24, was brought in to provide crucial depth on the left flank. Tzolis, who spent three years at Norwich City between 2021 and 2024, enjoyed a remarkable campaign for Club Brugge last season, having notched 51 goal involvements in 52 appearances. Such transfers have got the ball rolling in N5. While they may not be as eye-catching as some of their rivals splurging over £100m on big names, they represent shrewd business from both Arteta and Berta. But there is plenty more to be done, with more departures expected as part of Arsenal’s summer clear out. Other players that could be given the green light to leave are Christian Norgaard, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and potentially Ethan Nwaneri. More arrivals are also expected, with some £180m of the £250m war-chest Arteta was handed this summer still to be spent. A marquee forward, a central midfielder and a defender are likely to be brought in before the window shuts on September 1.