Arsenal axe five first-team players in 2024/25 retained list as Thomas Partey announcement made

Arsenal have released five men's first team players as part of their 2024/25 retained list.

Mikel Arteta's side had a host of contracts due to expire this summer, with several loan players also due to return to their parent clubs.

Among them included midfielder Jorginho, who has already confirmed he will be leaving at the end of his deal to join Brazilian side Flamengo.

He heads a list of five senior releases on the men's side, as well as a significant number of reserve and academy players.

Kieran Tierney and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji has also been released, while Neto and Raheem Sterling will return to Bournemouth and Chelsea respectively following the conclusion of their loan deals.

Butler-Oyedeji made two senior appearances for the Gunners this season and, due to injuries, was at one stage the club's only fit striker.

And the club have announced that they remain in talks with midfielder Thomas Partey, who is Arsenal's most regular starter of the players out of contract, over his future.

Arteta told reporters ahead of Arsenal's final Premier League match of the season: "In regards to Thomas, consistency-wise, it's been his best season.

"I think the way he's played, performed, his availability has been exceptional and he's a really important player for us."

The following men's senior and academy players have been released by the club:

• Nathan Butler-Oyedeji
• Reece Clairmont
• Khayon Edwards
• Jakai Fisher
• Romari Forde
• Jimi Gower
• Jack Henry-Francis
• Max Kuczynski
• Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand
• Ismail M'Hand
• Brian Okonkwo
• Elian Quesada-Thorn
• Zacariah Shuaib
• Kieran Tierney

For the women's side, meanwhile, three players have been released by the club at the end of their contracts.

The Gunners made those announcements prior to the Women's Champions League final last month, with Lina Hurtig, Amanda Ilestedt and Teyah Goldie the three players set to depart Renee Slegers' squad.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have confirmed they remain in talks with Manchester City loanee Chloe Kelly over her future.

Gunners fans have been calling for the club to make the deal permanent as Kelly is also out of contract at City, meaning she could play in Euro 2025 this summer as a free agent.

Speaking after the Women's Champions League final, in which Arsenal defeated favourites Barcelona 1-0, she said: "Who knows [if I'll stay]. I just know I have given my all for the club and the club has given their all for me. So I'm always grateful."