This morning we awoke to news that Newcastle were looking at Kieran Gibbs and Wojciech Szczesny could be off to Juventus. These likely exits will be just the tip of a very big iceberg when it comes to players set to leave the club this summer.

Alongside Szczesny, FA Cup winning goal keeper David Ospina is surely set to leave for pastures new. The Columbian has now been at Arsenal for 3 years and the club have clearly decided that he is not the long term replacement for Petr Cech. A move to Fenerbache might finally happen for him.

Per Mertesacker has recently announced an intention to retire from football. Although there might have been some mix up in translation as it also appears he is saying he is prepared to be a “stand-by” player next season. I would not be surprised if he signs for one more year, but clarification on his future will happen soon.

If Mertesacker stays, Gabriel will likely return to Spain.

Behind Laurent Koscielny, Shkdoran Mustafi, Rob Holding and Nacho Monreal in a back 3, he might also find Mertesacker and Calum Chambers ahead of him. His future will be linked to what Mertesacker and the club decide.

Arsenal are almost certain to show the exit door to two left backs. Mathieu Debuchy and Carl Jenkinson will both be allowed to depart the club this summer. With Hector Bellerin, the returning Calum chambers and (if we stick to 3 at the back) Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ahead of the pair, their are surplus to requirements.

Perhaps the biggest name set to leave the club will be Jack Wilshere. A year on loan at Bournemouth was supposed to show to the world that he can get fit enough to be relied upon week in week out. What resulted is the same old, same old.

Despite only doing half training sessions, being wrapped in cotton wool, and only playing once a week, his body still gave up on him. The problem Arsenal might find is that his inability to pass a medical could see the clubs interested in him, and his value, diminish quite quickly.

A surprise exit could be Francis Coquelin. He seems to have gone backwards this year and with Arsenal targeting a new central midfielder, he will have to either accept massively reduced game time, or find a new club.

The Lucas Perez transfer has not worked out. He has found himself behind the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott in his two favoured positions. Some will say he never got the crack of the whip. Others will point to rumours of training ground bust ups, and the fact that those playing ahead of him were in exceptional form. He will return to Spain.

Another wide forward who will see his time at Arsenal come to an end is Joel Campbell. Get out whilst you can Joel will always stick in the head when it comes to Campbell. He became a cult hero. Someone a lot of those who want Wenger Out hung too, claiming he was a brilliant player not getting his chance.

The reality was Joel Campbell was simply not good enough. On loan at Sporting, he has struggled to break into their side on a regular basis. More yellow cards than goals this season, I bet Arsenal wish they could have gotten him out when they could 3 years ago after a decent World Cup.

Finally, this summer will also be the year we finally wish Yaya Sanogo farewell. It might also be the year the club decide tat Chuba Akpom will never be good enough for the club. He could lead the way of a lot of youngsters such as Dan Crowley, Jon Toral, Glen Kamara, Stefan O’Connor, Julio Pleguezuelo, Gedion Zelalem and Matt Macey who all struggled to make an impact when on loan.

Arsenal are set for a clear out this summer, and the list does not even include the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil & Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, whom the club wants to keep, but due to contract ranglings, their future is in their own hands.

The reality is, the majority of what is leaving is (although I hate this term) dead wood. Players who have barely played for us over the last 12 months. When Arsene Wenger talks about 3 quality signings this summer, they would improve the top end of the squad.

As long as the 3 quality players do come in, none of the dead wood should be missed, or requiredto be replaced.

Keenos