Is Mikel Arteta willing to push Martin Odegaard out of the Arsenal exit this summer?

Widening their buffer at the top of the Premier League table in midweek and now currently holding a seven-point buffer over bitter title foes Manchester City, Arsenal are still on course to complete an iconic quadruple-winning campaign in 2026.

Sat firmly in the driving seat to end their over two decade wait for a domestic crown, Mikel Arteta’s men will also get their Champions League Round of 16 adventure underway next week when they travel to Bayer Leverkusen for their first-leg showdown.

However, despite their dominance across the board this season, it has been suggested that the Gunners could be set for a potential overhaul this summer.

Looking to balance the books after a £268million transfer spend, Arsenal could be forced to part ways with some of their biggest first-team superstars.

Forced to play large spells of this season without skipper Martin Odegaard, the Norwegian international has become somewhat of a forgotten man in north London and remains on the sidelines after being hit with yet another injury setback.

Although the 27-year-old’s current deal at the Emirates might run until the summer of 2028, Arteta’s side could see this as the perfect time to complete an emotional departure.

Could Odegaard’s reign in north London be coming to an end?

While Odegaard might have been appointed as Arsenal’s first-team captain back in the summer of 2022, it is fair to say that the Norwegian playmaker has endured a nightmare 18 months in north London.

Although the Gunners might once again hold a commanding buffer in the race to get their hands on a first Premier League crown since 2004, their skipper has been forced to watch large spells for the sidelines.

Along with missing a three-month period last season due to a serious ankle injury, Odegaard has once again been forced to deal with a string of high-profile fitness issues this time around.

During the 2025/26 campaign, the one-time Real Madrid youngster has already missed time through respective shoulder, knee and muscle injuries.

Missing 17 games this season and with new recruit Eberechi Eze clearly relishing the opportunity to play in a more central role, Odegaard could find himself at a major career crossroads this summer.

With The Telegraph reporting this week that the Arsenal hierarchy are weighing up the possibility of cashing in on their captain this summer, the 67-cap international could only muster a brief 13-minute cameo during the Gunners’ 4-1 north London victory against Spurs on February 22nd.

Although some might have suggested that Odegaard remains focused on extending his stay at the Emirates and is even open to talks over a potential new deal, Arteta’s side could feel that this summer is the perfect opportunity to cash in on their midfield superstar.

Arsenal need to sell at least one first-team player this summer

🔴 Martin Odegaard?
🔴 Gabriel Martinelli?
🔴 Ben White?
🔴 Myles Lewis-Skelly?
🔴 Ethan Nwaneri?@SamWallaceTel and @SamJDean report ⬇️https://t.co/tgrPKkOlhu#AFC | #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/l6GCKIBieB

— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) March 5, 2026

Is Tonali the man to replace Odegaard?

While Sandro Tonali might have eventually stayed put at St. James’ Park during the January transfer window following reported intense late interest, Newcastle’s midfield talisman could find himself at the heart of a real summer saga.

With Eddie Howe’s men still stuck in the bottom-half of the Premier League table, the Magpies have an almighty task on their hands in the race to book any kind of European adventure over the coming months.

With it reported over the past six weeks that Tonali has made it clear to the St. James’ Park hierarchy that he wants to be playing Champions League football next season, Arsenal were heavily linked with a sensational Deadline Day move for the ex-AC Milan starlet.

Despite Newcastle’s domestic struggles this season, Tonali has blossomed into one of the Premier League’s standout midfield stars and it is no secret that the 25-year-old has a string of heavyweight European admirers.

With Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, reportedly a huge fan of the 30-cap international, The Athletic suggested last month that Tonali’s representatives have already contacted Berta over a potential move.

While fellow Premier League giants Manchester City might also remain linked with a big-money move for Newcastle’s midfield superstar, Arsenal could see Tonali is the perfect replacement for Odegaard.

🚨 Excl. – #Arsenal have shown interest in Sandro #Tonali and are really working to sign him. Offered a contract until 2031 with a very rich salary to convince Tonali to join #AFC. It’s not simple: the time is short. #Newcastle ask £100M and would not want to sell the midfielder

— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) February 2, 2026