Arsenal have released a total of 20 players, including five first-team players, as they begin their summer rebuild for the 2025/2026 season in earnest.

The Gunners will be hoping to build a squad that can finally challenge for major honours after coming agonisingly close in the last three years.

Mikel Arteta's side have been forced to settle for second place in the Premier League despite leading dominant campaigns. They have also fallen short in the cup competitions, extending their trophy drought to five seasons.

North London is expected to be a beehive of activity with new sporting director Andrea Berta in charge of transfers. The club has started by axing 20 players, who include first-team, women's team and youth team players.

"Ahead of the official Premier League announcement of all men’s players who will be out of contract on June 30, we are taking this opportunity to say thank you to those leaving us when their contracts are completed at the end of the month," read the statement.

Top of the pile is one of the dressing room leaders, Jorginho, whose contract will expire at the end of this month. The former Chelsea man has already agreed terms with Brazilian side Flamengo and discussions are underway for him to break early from his contract to play in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Raheem Sterling and Neto have also been returned to their parent clubs, Chelsea and Bournemouth, respectively. The two players, especially Sterling, didn't have the impact expected of them at the Emirates Stadium.

Kiernan Tierney will also leave with a move back to his former club Celtic on the cards.

The Gunners have also confirmed that they have opened contract negotiations with Thomas Partey. The Ghanaian's contract expires this month, but the expectation is rife that he will extend his stay in North London.

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji has also surprisingly been let go despite making two senior appearances this season. He was at one point the only fit striker Arteta had due to the ravaging injury issues at the club.

In the women's team, Lina Hurtig and Amanda Ilestedt have also been let go at the end of their contracts. The Swedish internationals leave the club after winning the UEFA Women's Champions League last month. Hurtig joined the club from Juventus in 2022, while Ilestedt was signed from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

Also leaving is Teyah Goldie. The 20-year-old was on loan at London City Lionesses, where she played a huge role in helping them get promoted.

, Reece Clairmont, Khayon Edwards, Jakai Fisher, Romari Forde, Teyah Goldie, Jimi Gower, Jack Henry-Francis, Lina Hurtig, Amanda Ilestedt, , Max Kuczynski, Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand, Ismail Oulad M’Hand, , Brian Okonkwo, Elian Quesada-Thorn, Zacariah Shuaib, , Kieran Tierney

In a separate report, Manchester United have been ranked above Arsenal in the updated list of UEFA club rankings at the end of the season.

The Red Devils finished in 15th place with 42 points compared to Arsenal's second-place finish, but they are still ahead on the list.

Real Madrid are the top-ranked club, followed by Manchester City. Liverpool and Chelsea are the other English clubs in the top 10.

Source: TUKO.co.ke