Mikel Arteta should offload £100k-a-week Arsenal man in January after his midweek horror show – TBR View

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Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac appeared close to a departure from the Emirates Stadium in the last transfer window, a number of clubs having been linked with his services.

The Gunners man was said to be on the radar of the likes of Italian side Roma and German duo Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke, as well as fellow Premier League side West Ham.

In the end, the window slammed shut with Kolasinac remaining at Arsenal, but he’s not exactly kicked on since then, with competitive minutes few and far between.

Admittedly, this was partly due to bad luck as he was ruled out for several games after testing positive for Covid while on international duty with Bosnia & Herzegovina in November.

However, Kolasinac wasn’t getting much game time before then, failing to make numerous Premier League matchday squads, and against Everton, he was once again named on the bench.

The 27-year-old has been restricted to minutes in the cup competitions, and had the chance to impress when named in the starting XI against Manchester City in the League Cup quarter-final.

However, he flattered to deceive in a dismal display during which he showed little defensive awareness, such as when his fellow defenders were pushing up to play offside, and didn’t react.

At the other end, Kolasinac had a clear opening to play the ball into Folarin Balogun’s path which could have put him through on goal, but he hesitated and eventually passed sideways to Emile Smith Rowe, the attack breaking down.

Mikel Arteta may have opted to give the £100,000-a-week man a chance in the cup competitions this season but, given how much he struggled against tough opposition, surely he’s now made his mind up that he needs to move him on in January?