Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s biggest summer dilemma as £50m problem looms large

Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have got off to a flying start in the summer transfer window, but the tricky part is about to begin as they look to raise big funds from departures. The Gunners hierarchy know it’s now vital to reinvest after splashing the cash early on in the window.

Arsenal have already announced the £65m signing of Kai Havertz from London rivals Chelsea, while confirmation is imminent over a £105m deal for Kai Havertz and £38m move for Jurrien Timber ahead of the club’s pre-season tour to the US.

It’s a hugely exciting time for Gunners faithful as they look to go one step further in the Premier League after their near-miss to Manchester City last time out. And they’ll be excited to see their new stars in action in the Community Shield against Pep Guardiola’s side at Wembley on August 6.

But before then, Arsenal must sale to recoup their outlay. And there are a number of players facing the chop, including the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Nuno Tavares, Cedric Soares and co. However, there’s one very tricky decision Arteta will have to make – and that’s regarding the futures of Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun.

Nketiah seems the man Arteta’s most likely to keep out of the two after breaking more into the Spaniard’s plans last season – deputising fairly well for Gabriel Jesus during his injury absence. But Balogun certainly shouldn’t be ruled out either, having made a name for himself on loan in Ligue 1 with Reims.

The 22-year-old had for a while competed with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Alexandre Lacazette for the top scorer prize in Ligue 1, before finishing up with 21 strikes last season playing for Reims. It was a great return for the youngster, considering it was his first spell abroand and out of his comfort zone.

Balogun displayed a mentality beyond his years and he certainly would have caught the eye of his Arsenal manager. But he faces a big fight for his future in north London, with it seemingly unlikely he’ll take Jesus’ spot up top come the start of the new campaign. The Gunners have reportedly whacked a £50million price tag on him thanks to his fine spell in France.

Arsenal have clearly slapped that price tag on Balogun as they know he is a man in demand and can deliver the goods elsewhere, but they’ll also be aware who could prove a key cog in the Gunners squad as strength-in-depth is hugely important in their bid to topple Premier League title rivals Man City.

Age is massively on his side and arguably he would bring more to the table in goalscoring terms than Nketiah. But what the latter brings is that bit more experience and nous around the box. It’s a very tricky dilemma for Arteta, but whatever decision he makes, he can expect to get a sizeable fee for the one on the chopping board.

One thing that is for sure, you can guarantee it will be an emotional decision for the manager, with the two young strikers having risen through the ranks and there love for Arsenal being all too clear to see.