Arsenal drop major transfer hint as four players 'spotted' at club media day

Arsenal appear to have dropped a major hint over the remainder of their summer transfer plans at the club's media day.

Mikel Arteta's side have been active in the transfer market thus far, bringing in six players.

Midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard have arrived from Real Sociedad and Brentford respectively, while the Gunners splashed out on Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres.

Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and winger Noni Madueke have signed from Chelsea, with centre-back Cristhian Mosquera joining from Valencia.

In terms of outgoings, the Gunners have begun to fund some of their signings by allowing fringe players to leave, with left-back Nuno Tavares and winger Marquinhos departing for a combined fee of around £10 million.

They have not sanctioned any loan deals, meaning a number of seemingly unwanted players that were out on loan last season are now back at the club.

But a 'hint' from the club's latest media day has pointed to some slightly surprising players for some of their out-of-favour squad members.

Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson have all been spotted at media day and have had official profile photos taken, as per journalist Jeorge Bird.

Sambi Lokonga hasn't played for Arsenal since he was loaned out to Crystal Palace in January 2023, spending subsequent temporary spells at Luton and Sevilla.

Vieira, meanwhile, scored four goals and contributed four assists during a season-long loan with previous club FC Porto.

Nelson spent the second half of the campaign at Fulham, while young goalkeeper Karl-Jacob Hein - who is also present at media day - was at Real Valladolid for the entire season.

Nelson was involved in Arsenal's pre-season - admittedly only playing 18 minutes in total across two matches - but the other three players played no part, appearing to indicate their futures lay elsewhere.

Speaking last month, Arteta suggested that his fringe players would be allowed to depart by declaring that his squad is 'short' on numbers.

"There's still a long time in the window, and we are seeking still," he said.

"In terms of the numbers, we are short and we have to improve the depth and quality of the squad. We are constantly looking in the market. Until that happens, [we] focus on the players we have - and I'm very pleased with what I have seen in the last 10-15 days."