The Gunners are expected to begin their summer transfer activity by allowing the departure of one of the squad’s most experienced players.

Arsenal were criticised for their decisions in the transfer market last summer which saw Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac move to the Emirates stadium while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gabriel were sold.

After a very disappointing 2017/18 campaign which saw them finish outside of the Premier League’s top four for a second season in a row, the new Arsenal manager will be expected to make a few major moves ahead of next term.

And if the new boss is indeed set to be Mikel Arteta, then it appears as though one of his first decisions will be to let go of Santi Cazorla.

The experienced midfielder, who has been earning £90,000-a-week in wages, is reportedly closing in on a return to Villarreal after spending six years in England.

“It is all-but-official that, although it has not all been completely confirmed by the club, Santi Cazorla will spend pre-season next season – well, this July as we are already there – with Villarreal.” reporter Mónica Marchante said

Cazorla, who has been troubled by injuries for the past couple of seasons, has not featured for Arsenal since October 2016.

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