Emirates Stadium boss set to conduct major squad clear-out. Arsene Wenger ready to swing the axe to make way for fresh additions.

Arsene Wenger is preparing to offload as many as eight of his first team squad as he looks to trim his playing staff ahead this summer. The Gunners boss has been told that he will be handed a significant transfer budget but the Arsenal manager will look to subsidise major moves by selling players he feels have under-performed.

Koln attacker Lukas Podolski’s protracted move to the North London club will be announced in the coming weeks and Wenger is keen to bring in two or three other major signings after seeing Arsenal fail to end their lengthy silverware drought.

Wenger will hope that big money moves for new signings will help persuade captain Robin Van Persie to sign a new contract with his current deal set to come to an end in just over a year’s time. With this in mind the likes of Ajax’s Jan Vertonghen and Lille playmaker Eden Hazard will be high up on his wish-list, players who’s combined market value could be as much as £50m when you factor in the purchase of German International Podolski.

The eight earmarked for moves away from the Emirates Stadium are as follows.

Abou Diaby

The French midfielder has suffered with a series of injuries in recent seasons but even prior to being sidelined the 25 year old had been having an up and down time of it and Arsene Wenger will listen to offers for the former Auxerre man this summer.