Arsenal player, Mikel Arteta is set to leave the club as the season ends.
The player would join Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini. Arsene Wenger, head coach of the club said Arsenal “will lose three big personalities” when the players exit the club this summer. Wenger paid tribute to the trio of midfielders at his news conference on Friday as all three are out of contract after the season ends following Sunday’s home game against Aston Villa.
Only Flamini has been a regular player this season, with Rosicky making only one appearance because of injury troubles. Arteta, the club captain, has also struggled with injuries and was often left out of the squad even when fit.
Wenger said:
“Arteta has been a great leader. All these players will have to decide if they go on with their career as a football player or as a coach.
“Tomas Rosicky has been with us for 10 years, I think everybody loves him as well. Flamini has been an extremely strong leader as well on the pitch and off the pitch. We lose three big personalities.”
Arteta has been linked with a move to Manchester City to become part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff next season, while Rosicky is hoping to represent Czech Republic at the European Championship this summer. When asked if the trio were “definitely” leaving the club after their contracts expire, Wenger said:
“It depends what you call definitely. Nobody leaves definitely at Arsenal, ever. They all come back, always.”
Tomas Rosicky signed for Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in 2006 and has played three games with Arsenal’s under-21s since returning from a thigh injury sustained in January, but has yet to be included in the first-team squad. Arsenal will play their last game as they hope to lock down third place or could get second if they win and Tottenham flop.