Seven Arsenal players 'banished from first team training' by Mikel Arteta in ruthless cull

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reportedly 'banished' seven players from first team training.

The Gunners have spent big this summer, bringing in Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber for a combined fee of over £200 million. They have also signed goalkeeper David Raya on loan, with an option to buy, from Brentford.

Outgoings, however, have been more challenging for Arteta thus far. Granit Xhaka was an early departure to Bayer Leverkusen, while goalkeeper Matt Turner and Auston Trusty have also left the club on permanent deals.

Numerous others have been linked with moves away, including forward Folarin Balogun. Chelsea, Fulham and Monaco are among the clubs interested in signing the 21-year-old, who is reportedly valued by Arsenal at £40 million.

The United States international has missed Arsenal's opening two games of the season through injury, but posted a photo to his Instagram story earlier this week which showed him back in training at London Colney.

But while he is getting back to full fitness, he is reportedly one of seven players who are training separately to the full group.

Arteta 'banishes seven players from Arsenal training'

Balogun, Kieran Tierney, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares and Rob Holding all trained separately from the main Arsenal group on Thursday, according to Football Daily's Connor Humm.

It is also reported that neither Nicolas Pepe or Cedric Soares, who both spent the second half of last season out on loan, were not training with the main or separated group.

🚨| Kieran Tierney, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, Folarin Balogun and Rob Holding did NOT train with the rest of the Arsenal squad today.

They all trained separately…

pic.twitter.com/9WkiacM2UG

— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) August 24, 2023

There has not been a lack of interest in a number of those aforementioned players, however.

According to talkSPORT, current Premier League leaders Brighton are interested in signing Sambi Lokonga as they look for a replacement for Moises Caicedo, who joined Chelsea for £115 million earlier in August.

Tavares has been linked with a move to Nottingham Forest, while RMC Sport claim that an unnamed Saudi Pro League club is interested in Pepe, who was Arsenal's club-record signing prior to the arrival of Rice.

Arsenal have another seven days to complete any transfer business before the window slams shut - while they are also eyeing a potential replacement for the injured Timber.