I don’t want to see them in my squad next year”: Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke puts FOUR Arsenal players for sale, warned Arteta not to play them anymore

Arsenal have been plunged into shock after a dramatic internal decision from club owner Stan Kroenke, who has reportedly placed **four first-team players** on the transfer list with immediate effect and delivered a blunt warning to manager Mikel Arteta: *“I don’t want to see them in my squad next year.”* The news has sent ripples across the Premier League, creating huge tension behind the scenes and raising major questions about Arsenal’s long-term direction, squad identity and leadership structure going into next season.

According to sources close to the ownership group, Kroenke has grown increasingly frustrated with certain members of the squad whom he believes have either failed to justify their wages, contributed inconsistently on the pitch, or no longer align with the club’s competitive ambitions. The message from the top is said to be firm and uncompromising — Arsenal cannot afford passengers, and the squad must be streamlined to ensure that every player represents the mentality required to push for major trophies. It is a rare moment of direct intervention from Kroenke, who usually takes a hands-off approach to football decisions, making the move even more significant.

The confrontation reportedly stems from the club’s recent performances, where lack of cutting edge and individual lapses have cost Arsenal valuable points in key moments. Kroenke is understood to be particularly disappointed with players he views as underachieving despite being given repeated chances to prove themselves. The ownership believes that Arteta has done his best to elevate the standards, but the next stage of the project requires difficult, ruthless decisions — and the trimming of personalities who are not fully aligned with the vision of competing at the highest level.

Arteta, who has built a reputation for discipline, structure and high standards, now faces a challenging situation. While he has always insisted that every player must earn their place, he now finds himself under direct pressure from above to phase certain individuals out immediately. The message from Kroenke is not merely a suggestion; it is an instruction tied to the club’s summer rebuild plans, financial restructuring, and long-term sporting strategy. Arteta will be expected to manage this transition carefully, balancing team harmony with the expectation of clearing space in the squad.

The four unnamed players — whose identities are being protected to avoid destabilising the squad mid-season — are said to have been informed privately that they are free to seek new clubs when the transfer window opens. Arsenal’s recruitment team has already been briefed to identify replacements and prioritise positions that align with the club’s evolving tactical philosophy. The focus will be on acquiring players with stronger mentality, higher work rate, and long-term potential to grow within the club’s system.

Inside the dressing room, the decision has reportedly created a tense atmosphere, with teammates surprised by the firmness of Kroenke’s stance. Some see the move as necessary to maintain standards and push the club forward, while others fear it may cause friction at a delicate point in the season. What is clear, however, is that the ownership wants to send a message: Arsenal must compete at the level of Europe’s elite, and any player not contributing to that goal will simply not remain part of the journey.

For the fans, reactions have been mixed. Some welcome the decisive shift, believing a clear-out is overdue and that the squad has carried too much inconsistency for too long. Others worry that direct ownership intervention may disrupt Arteta’s project or unsettle the harmony he has carefully built. But regardless of opinions, the reality is that Arsenal are preparing for one of the most dramatic squad shake-ups of the decade — one that will reshape the team’s identity and determine the next phase of Arteta’s tenure.

As the summer window approaches, all eyes will now turn to who leaves, who stays, and how Arsenal rebuild from here. What began as internal frustration has now transformed into an unmistakable message at the top of the club: **the standards are rising, and anyone who can’t meet them will not wear the badge

next season.**