Arsenal player axed in latest ruthless Mikel Arteta move as David Ornstein confirms transfer

Arsenal are set to allow another player to leave the club this summer as Mikel Arteta continues his squad rebuild, according to a new report.

The Gunners have allowed several squad players to depart the Emirates Stadium since the end of last season, including midfielders Emile Smith Rowe and Mohamed Elneny.

They are also in talks with Nottingham Forest over the potential sale of forward Eddie Nketiah.

On the incomings front, Arsenal have completed a permanent transfer of goalkeeper David Raya, who spent last season on loan from Brentford.

Defender Riccardo Calafiori has also signed from Bologna, while the Gunners are closing in on a deal to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino.

The move for Merino has appeared to signal the exit for midfielder Fabio Vieira, who is reportedly set to leave Arsenal on loan.

The Athletic's David Ornstein reports that Vieira's former club Porto have agreed a deal to bring back the 24-year-old for the season, and he will not be part of Arsenal's matchday squad for the Premier League clash against Aston Villa as a result.

It is claimed that Vieira is desiring more game time as a result of Merino's impending arrival and the promotion of youngster Ethan Nwaneri, who is expected to feature more prominently in the senior squad this season.

Arsenal fans have reacted positively to the move - and believe that the club are even more likely to sign a winger this summer to compete with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

One wrote: "Great news that. Means more minutes for Nwaneri and I'm 100 per cent certain we'll sign a winger."

A second said: "[Vieira] clearly not viewed as a long-term option with the amount of minutes he's been given during his time here. Positive about it is now a clearer pathway for Nwaneri. Increased optimism for a winger signing now."

A third added: "Fabio Vieira leaving on loan, I now see us getting a winger. If it's not Nico Williams then I have a feeling it's Raphinha or Adingra."

A fourth wrote: "Fabio Vieira leaving must definitely mean a winger or striker would be one of the signings before the end of the window."