Mikel Arteta needs to be backed in the summer transfer market if he is to make waves in the Premier League next season. Barring a catastrophic turn of events from Liverpool, the Gunners will once again finish the season in second place.

After back-to-back runners-up finishes behind Manchester City in the last two campaigns, much was expected of Arsenal this season. Particularly with City struggling for form after four Premier League title wins in a row.

However, Liverpool are the ones who have stepped up in the absence of Pep Guardiola's side at the top of the table, somewhat unexpectedly in Arne Slot's first season at the club.

Arteta has struggled to find consistency from his players throughout the season and it will once again be runners-up spot for the Gunners - or worse if the chasing pack can take advantage of inconsistent form - for the third year in a row. Has Arteta taken the club as far as they can go, or is there another gear to be found?

The manager called for reinforcements, particularly up front in the January transfer window, but no signings were made, despite concerted efforts from those behind the scenes. The Spaniard needs to be backed in the summer transfer window, or Arsenal run the risk of either the manager leaving for pastures new, or players deciding they have more chance of winning silverware elsewhere.

Arteta must clear the decks at the Emirates Stadium too, however with a number of players surplus to requirements to open up wages and squad spots for new signings. Here football.london takes a look at the players who need to leave.

First up, let's take a look at the ones out of contract this summer. That's an easy place to start. Jorginho has served the club well since joining from Chelsea, but with his contract expiring at at the age of 33, its time to move on. Another midfielder, Thomas Partey, is also at the end of his contract and should move on, despite his improved performances this season. Kieran Tierney was linked with a move to Celtic in January and is likely to move back north once his contract ends this summer too.

Then there are the loan players. Neto has hardly had a look-in as understudy to David Raya and does not look to have a future at the club, unless he is happy with that role sitting on the bench for all eternity and the club are pleased with what they see in training. Raheem Sterling 's loan from Chelsea has been almost an unmitigated disaster and he will leave in the summer too.

Elsewhere Takehiro Tomiyasu is a good squad player, but could command a reasonable fee, while Jakub Kiwior is in the same boat when it comes to commanding a fee. The Pole does not seem to be in Arteta's plans.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is another who seems surplus to requirements given Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori's presence as well as the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly. At 28 he could be of interest to a number of European clubs and could bring in much-needed funds.

The big money could come in for Gabriel Jesus, who was heavily tipped to leave last summer before finding some form in front of goal before then picking up a season-ending ACL injury. Much will depend on when he returns from injury and whether or not any clubs want to take a punt on him after such a setback. Arsenal, too, will want to bring in at least one new forward if they are to let him go.

Then there are the players out on loan. Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga look set to depart. Arteta may want to take another look at Fabio Vieira, while Reiss Nelson's future is anyone's guess.