Whatever happens between now and the weekend you can be sure Mikel Arteta will have one eye on the future as he strives to improve the depth of his squad for next season. 

Regardless of whether Arsenal finish first or second after the dust settles on the Premier League season on Sunday, boss Arteta will have already been considering the thorny issue of recruitment for the 2024-25 season - as well as exactly who to sell at the end of this current campaign. 

The Gooner takes a look at seven players who could be leaving North London in search of pastures new, and the prospect of regular first team football elsewhere - if the price is right. 

Aaron Ramsdale: Exit rating: 9/10

The story of the Gunners present No2 keeper proves there is absolutely no sentiment in football. At the start of this season, back in August 2023, the former Sheffield United netminder could have been forgiven for believing that he would have another strong season at the Emirates to bolster his chances of a place in the England squad for Germany at Euro 2024.

Fast forward nine months and the ex-Chesterfield shotstopper has found himself uncerimoniously dumped as Arsenal's No1, not to mention having a real fight on his hands to even make Gareth Southgate's 26 man squad for this summer's footballing jamboree.

And all through no real fault of his own, bar Arteta aiming for marginal gains with David Raya and his more clinical distribution. 

Eddie Nketiah: Exit rating: 9/10 

While Gunners reserve striker can boast a Premier League hattrick - albeit against sorry Sheffield United at the Emirates during the 5-0 rout back in October, the fact is, as much as every Arsenal supporter wants the Lambeth-born forward to do well at the club, the former Chelsea academy attacker will be 25 come the end of the month - and still hasn't proved his worth to Arteta. While a haul of nearly 40 career goals at Arsenal is not to be sniffed at, the numbers have been spread over nearly eight seasons - while Nketiah has singularly failed to grasp the not inconsiderable opportunities handed to him by Arteta. 

A £40m move to Crystal Palace for the south Londoner would be the best solution for all parties, allowing Eddie to rebuild his career, while boosting Arsenal's coffers as well as FFP details. 

Emile Smith Rowe: Exit rating: 8/10

Was it only two seasons ago that we all lauded 'Saka and Emile Smith Rowe'. Since then, the former Hale End academy graduate has suffered with a raft of injuries that have curtailed his progress.

So much so, to the point that it was instructive at Old Trafford on Sunday to note that Saka - teammate in arms in that memorable take of Status Quo's Rocking All Over the World - now has a song of his own, and has done for a while. 

While ESR possesses great talent, his ability to influence matches, either as a starter or a super-sub has waned considerably. Perhaps that long-touted for £35m move to Villa would be best for all concerned.

Kieran Tierney: Exit rating 8/10

As much as Gooners love KT, for his never say die attitude, for the fact his passion was always clear to see, not to mention the fact he carried his football gear in a plastic bag rather than a Louis Vuitton number - as well embracing freezing weather, as befits a respected Scottish international - it's hard to see a way back for the former Celtic defender, on loan in La Liga, with Real Sociedad. 

It was instructive to note that while the Erreala's - or white blues - staged an impressive Champions League run, Tierney was markedly absent for a number of matches, having picked up an injury that kept the left-back out for a frustratingly lengthy spell. 

Will be interesting to note if Celtic are willing to re-sign their once formidable defender, and if so, how much would they be willing to offer Arsenal in light of the fact that Arteta cleary doesn't rate KT as much we all would like him to.

For if that were the case, surely the defender wouldn't have been loaned out when our squad required bolstering rather a weakening of numbers before the end of last August's transfer deadline. 

Albert Sambi Lokonga: Exit rating: 7/10

An excellent season on loan at Luton Town - operating in tandem with the equally rejueventated Ross Barkley - still doesn't hide a distinctly underwhelming first spell at Arsenal, nor the fact that despite good form, the Hatters are set to be relegated. Would it surprise anyone if Rob Edwards' Kenilworth Road outfit channelled some of their parachute payments towards sealing a permanent £15m deal with Arsenal for Sambi over the summer?

Nuno Tavares: Exit rating: 9/10

Oh nuno. How unhappy you looked in All or Nothing after your debacle at Forest in the FA Cup. Two years on nothing has changed for the now, City Ground-loanee. Forest have a £12m option to buy deal. Which looks increasingly expensive. 

Reiss Nelson: Exit rating: 7/10

While we all absolutely loved Reiss's last-gasp winner in the never-to-be-forgotten 3-2 win over Bournemouth last March, Nelson is another who has failed to make an impact over the course of this season, and to be fair, his entire Arsenal career. Similar to Nketiah, it feels like time-served is not well-spent - for the player, or the club.

Performed adequately well for Feyenoord on their run to the 2022 Europa League Conference final where they lost to Ainsley-Maitland Niles' Roma so perhaps another spell on the continent - rather than the hurly burly of the Premier League - could work well for the Elephant and Castle born attacker. Although, the sale price and subsquent salary could be a sticking point.