Arsenal confirm double youngster exit, but Willian’s MLS switch collapses

By Conor Laird


Published: July 1, 2021 5:37 pm

Last Updated: July 1, 2021 6:09 pm

A trio of updates surrounding ongoings on the personnel front at Premier League giants Arsenal have come to the fore on Thursday.

Youngsters depart

The first centres on a pair of departures from the club’s youth setup.

A number of gifted young talents to have made their way through the ranks on the red half of North London have of course gone on to play prominent roles in Mikel Arteta’s senior Gunners setup over the last couple of seasons.

The most high-profile of these come in the forms of Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka.

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 29: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal at American Express Community Stadium on December 29, 2020 in Brighton, England.The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Whilst some have enjoyed huge success at senior level at the Emirates, however, others have seen their opportunities limited by the host of more experienced options in front of them in the Arsenal pecking order.

Such players, in turn, are often forced to move on, either on loan or a permanent basis, to secure regular first-team football.

And, as outlined above, two of the Gunners’ young crop of talent have today opted for the latter route.

As confirmed on social media a short time ago, Daniel Oyegoke, a highly-regarded English youth international, has rejected the offer of a 3-year contract in North London, to instead link up with newly-promoted Brentford:

Daniel Oyegoke has joined Brentford on a three year deal having rejected Arsenal’s offer of a professional contract. pic.twitter.com/FlVFJPCVpy

— Jeorge Bird (@jeorgebird) July 1, 2021

And following Oyegoke out the Arsenal exit door is Ben Sheaf, who, after impressing on loan with Coventry City last season, has been snapped up on a permanent basis by the Sky Blues:

Ben Sheaf has joined Coventry permanently. At the age of 23 it’s the right time for him to move on but he has developed well in recent years out on loan. Also means all of the 2014 scholars have left the club.

— Jeorge Bird (@jeorgebird) July 1, 2021

Inter Miami stand firm

Whilst a pair of young Gunners move on, though, another whom fans of the capital giants are no doubt desperate to see the back of this summer looks set to stay put, for the time being at least.

The player in question? Willian.

Brazilian veteran Willian of course endured an altogether underwhelming debut campaign at the Emirates, on the back of his arrival from Chelsea as a free-agent last summer.

In turn, with the 32-year-old known to be taking home a hefty weekly wage, it has been suggested that Willian could be on the move once again over the weeks ahead, as those in a position of power at Arsenal seek to cut their losses.

PIRAEUS, GREECE – FEBRUARY 25: (2ndL) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring the 3rd Arsenal goal with (L) Willian, (R) Alex Lacazette and Bukayo Saka during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Arsenal FC and SL Benfica at Karaiskakis Stadium on February 25, 2021 in Piraeus, Greece. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

If the latest word stemming from the media is anything to go by, however, then one potential landing spot appears to have been ruled out.

As per a number of reports, MLS outfit Inter Miami – who are owned by David Beckham – have called off negotiations with Willian over a potential summer switch.

This comes with the South American having demanded a hefty £167,000-per-week in wages, more than double the money earned by current top earner Gonzalo Higuain:

Willian’s move to David Beckham’s MLS side Inter Miami has fallen through after the Arsenal star demanded HUGE wagespic.twitter.com/Yc4oHptyRg

— The Sun – Arsenal (@SunArsenal) July 1, 2021

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This article was edited by
Ben Browning.

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Premier League table

#	Team	MP	D	P
1	Leeds United	0	0	0
2	Manchester City	0	0	0
3	Manchester United	0	0	0
4	West Ham United	0	0	0
5	Everton FC	0	0	0
6	Southampton FC	0	0	0
7	Chelsea London	0	0	0
8	Arsenal London	0	0	0
9	Newcastle United	0	0	0
10	Leicester City	0	0	0
11	Liverpool FC	0	0	0
12	Aston Villa	0	0	0
13	Tottenham Hotspur	0	0	0
14	Wolverhampton Wanderers	0	0	0
15	Crystal Palace	0	0	0
16	Norwich City	0	0	0
17	Watford FC	0	0	0
18	Burnley FC	0	0	0
19	Brighton & Hove Albion	0	0	0
20	Brentford FC	0	0	0

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