Arsenal have announced a triple departure of players in the space of 24 hours as Mikel Arteta wastes no time in getting ready for the new season.
The Gunners kick off the new Premier League campaign on Friday night with a tricky trip to Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace where we’ll get an insight into the chosen 20 players in the matchday squad.
There will however be a few first-team players not featuring after they completed departures from the club in one way or another.
First up was Bernd Leno late on Tuesday evening as he sealed a permanent transfer to Fulham after weeks of negotiations finally came to a conclusion.
Happy and delighted to finally join @FulhamFC.
I can‘t wait to join the training today and I’m looking forward to play at Craven Cottage😍💪🏽⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/pzBCkrntTd— Bernd Leno (@Bernd_Leno) August 3, 2022
Arsenal will pocket the minimal fee of £3m outright, with various add-ons then taking the deal up to a total of £8m based on whether Fulham avoid relegation.
Leno’s move will see him join the club on a contract until 2025 with the option of a fourth year also available for either party to action, largely dependant on which league they’re playing in.
Next up came in the form of Flo Balogun who has switched the red and white of Arsenal for the red and white of Stade de Reims, a side playing in Ligue 1.
✍️ @balogun arrive en prêt au SDR en provenance d’@Arsenal 🔥 pic.twitter.com/AR0FUCnqU5
— Stade de Reims (@StadeDeReims) August 3, 2022
The 21-year-old will get a full season on loan with the French club who tend to end up comfortably within mid table as each year goes by.
Balogun will take the number 29 shirt and there is no buy option included in the deal as Arteta see’s him as a big part of the future plans.
And finally, after it came as a surprise report on Tuesday night, Chalie Patino has completed a season-long loan move to Championship side, Blackpool.
Blackpool complete signing of Charlie Patino on loan from @Arsenal https://t.co/6u3dL0x3tf pic.twitter.com/KhTVWQchX8
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) August 3, 2022
The 18-year-old will now target regular game time following a 2021/22 season that saw him grab two first-team appearances and take part regularly in senior training.
Patino completed a medical and all contracts within 24 hours of the news breaking, and on Wednesday evening was confirmed as a new Blackpool player.