Mikel Arteta’s summer rebuild at Arsenal could could spark end of Arsene Wenger era as five players linked with moves away

The Arsene Wenger era could soon be well and truly over if Mikel Arteta completes his Arsenal squad shake-up this summer.

The Spaniard is already planning ahead of next season’s assault at the title as he plots to dethrone Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

And doing so could see the last men standing from Wenger’s tenure could all move on this summer as Arteta goes on the offensive.

First out of the door appears to be Granit Xhaka, who Wenger signed in 2016. The Swiss international has promised an announcement on his future this week amid links with a move to Bayer Leverkusen.

“You will know next week, for sure. Before the Wolves game,” Xhaka said after Saturday’s defeat at Nottingham Forest.

“I think the fans deserve that. And I do, as well. We have one more week of the Premier League season to go and I want to enjoy it and I want you guys to, as well.”

Xhaka spoke candidly about creating something special this season, hinting at a possible exit.

“Where I was three years ago and where I am today, I think I’ve grown up as a person and I’ve got my respect back,” he said. “In the dressing room everything was always fine but I got it back from the fans.

“When I talked about special…I mean, how can I say it? Where I have been and how I came back and my turnaround, maybe it’s the first time in the history of the Premier League it’s been done?

“It’s made me happy. It makes me proud. But this is my story, my path. How the fans have treated me, I didn’t expect that – but I am thankful for them. I want to give them something back for, maybe, my last game on Sunday.

“I wanted to do something special this season, maybe with a title, but it’s not the time. Let’s see what the future holds.”

According to the Daily Mirror, other stars from the Wenger era at risk of being shipped out are Rob Holding – signed from Bolton in 2016, while Reiss Nelson will become a free agent next month unless an agreement over an extension can be reached.

That would leave Mohamed Elneny and Eddie Nketiah as the remaining two, with both players’ futures at the Emirates Stadium unclear.

Arteta’s priorities lie in a midfield rebuild with Thomas Partey’s dip in form during the title run-in potentially leading to an exit.

The Mirror claim Partey could be set for a switch to Serie A with two Italian teams interested in the 30-year-old.

Any funds recouped for the Ghanaian could fund a move for No. 1 target Declan Rice. West Ham have made their stance clear that they will not sell their captain for anything less than £100 million.

Other options for the Gunners’ are Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan who is out of contract next month. Another possibility is Arsenal rekindling their long-term interest in Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.

Arteta could launch an offensive for Chelsea’s Mason Mount but much will depend on how incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino views the England star among his expensively-assembled squad.

Leicester’s James Maddison is another top player linked with a move away. The 26-year-old is likely to leave the King Power Stadium this summer regardless of the Foxes’ Premier League status.

Arteta faces the biggest transfer window of his managerial career as Arsenal have set the wheels in motion for another title push next season.

But the Gunners know that getting their affairs right off the pitch with be key to their chances, with a more intense battle for top honours expected next time round.