Arsenal manager Unai Emery made it clear after the Europa League final defeat to Chelsea that there would be players leaving the Emirates this summer.

Although the Spaniard would not be drawn on what changes would be made to the playing squad, he did hint he was seeking to build a younger team:

“Our idea is to continue to carry on and improve with the young players that have arrived. Maybe some players need to leave but it’s not the moment to speak about that.”

Whether such a plan materialises over the next few months, we shall see, but who is the likeliest to leave? I’ve picked five players whose age and lack of form may see them depart the club:

Mesut Ozil

After having little impact on the Europa League final, Emery showed what he thought of the German’s performance by substituting him for Joe Willock in the second half.

His six goals and three assists don’t merit the reported £350,000 a week he is earning, and that money could be better spent on signing hungrier, younger players.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Another player whose performances have not justified his pay packet, the Armenian is now also the wrong side of 30 and is unlikely to help turn around this club’s fortunes.

Finding a buyer may be problematic, but there could be a team in the Chinese Super League who would be prepared to take him on, without the midfielder having to take a massive wage cut.

Shkodran Mustafi

The German has consistently shown that he can’t be trusted to marshall the backline. The number of individual errors make him a liability in Emery’s quest to strengthen a defence which has conceded so many goals.

His performance against Crystal Palace, in particular, was awful, and it effectively triggered a run of poor league form that led to the Gunners missing out on a Champions League place.

Laurent Koscielny

It may be a bit harsh considering the service that the Frenchman has given the club but at 33, it’s time for a younger player to come in, and be given the chance to establish himself alongside Sokratis.

The Arsenal captain could see out his final year of his contract playing a bit-part role, but a move back to France could suit all parties so he can end his career playing regularly.

Mohamed Elneny

I could have equally chosen Carl Jenkinson or Stephan Lichtsteiner for this last spot, but the Egyptian is filling up a place in our first-team squad which could just as easily be filled by a youngster.

Willock, Emile Smith-Rowe or even Ainsley Maitland-Niles deserve more opportunities ahead of Elneny in a central midfield role.