Among the expected absentees were Norberto Neto and Raheem Sterling, both of whom were only ever on loan at the club and are set to leave. Similarly, Kieran Tierney and Jorginho were left out, with their summer departures already confirmed due to their contracts expiring and having signed pre-contracts with Celtic and Flamengo respectively. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Jesus, both currently sidelined through injury, were also not expected to feature.
However, it was the absence of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey that has raised eyebrows. Zinchenko’s exclusion is particularly telling, with no clear injury or contractual reason to explain his absence. Myles Lewis-Skelly’s emergence at left-back this season — combined with Riccardo Calafiori’s arrival last summer — has pushed Zinchenko down the pecking order. His omission strongly suggests he could be among the players sold in the upcoming transfer window.
Shifting Zinchenko will be key for Arsenal’s summer plans, with some key contracts to extend and big names set to arrive, the Ukrainian’s £150,000 per week wages need to be sorted.
Partey, meanwhile, has reportedly been in talks over a new contract, but his absence from the kit launch casts fresh doubt on his future. The Ghanaian midfielder has struggled with injuries and inconsistency over the past two seasons, and despite preliminary discussions, Arsenal may feel now is the right time to move on. Again his £200,000 per week wages are heavy, particularly with Martin Zubimendi set to arrive, you’d expect Partey to move to the bench.
The potential departures of senior figures like Zinchenko and Partey may signal a broader transition this summer, as Arsenal look to refine the squad for another Premier League title push.
With the summer transfer window fast approaching, fans will be watching closely to see which absences from the kit launch turn out to be telling signs of exits. You can follow all the latest Arsenal transfer developments in our Arsenal Transfer News section.