Arsenal: four players Unai Emery must sell

Arsenal boss Unai Emery saw his side lose 1-0 to Sheffield United on Monday night.

Arsenal’s Premier League campaign continued its stuttering start with a dismal 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United on Monday night.

The Gunners went into the game knowing a win would see them return to third in the table.

However, Arsenal couldn’t cope with the intensity of the showdown at Bramall Lane and were sinked by Lys Mousset’s goal in the 30th minute.

Nicolas Pepe made headlines for a horrific miss – but he’s worth sticking with. Express Sport now runs through the four players who aren’t, however, and who should be put up for sale in January.

Sokratis Papastathopoulous

Sokratis Papastathopoulous is into his second season as an Arsenal player but his flaws are there for all to see.

Against Sheffield United he was woeful, looking nervy in possession and on edge whenever the opposition would run at him.

He was signed to tighten Arsenal’s defence but, if anything, the Gunners have regressed at the back since the Greece international’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund over a year ago.

How Arsenal need Rob Holding back.

David Luiz

Arsenal were gambling when they signed David Luiz from Chelsea during the summer transfer window.

Sure, he’d won the lot during his time at Stamford Bridge and also performed well for PSG, Benfica and Brazil over the course of his career.

But Luiz has always been inconsistent and, so far, Arsenal’s decision to invest in the Brazil international is yet to pay off.

It’s early into his time in north London but things aren’t working out. With the player 33 in April, it doesn’t look like they will either.

It would be best, therefore, if Arsenal try to find a buyer in January so they can land someone else instead.

Sead Kolasinac

Sead Kolasinac only played because Kieran Tierney was overlooked for the Premier League showdown as he continues his recovery from injury.

But Arsenal need to upgrade on the Bosnian who plays more games than he should.

Kolasinac isn’t better than any left-backs at Arsenal’s Premier League rivals.

And that speaks volumes. The Gunners need two good players in each position and, at left-back, they simply don’t have that.

Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka is a liability for Arsenal. He can pass the ball well, sure, but simply isn’t good enough to start, never mind skipper the side.

He had a good shot on goal in the second half against Sheffield United but, other than that, allowed the game to pass him by.

To make matters worse, Xhaka was even booed by his own fans. Arsenal supporters’ patience is running out.

Emery is having to defend him nearly every week. That doesn’t help, either, as the manager has other worries on his hands as well.