Arsenal release 12 players

By : Solomon Fowowe

Date: 30 June 2018 7:40am WAT

Arsenal players (back row L-R) Arsenal's Spanish defender Hector Bellerin, Arsenal's Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka, Arsenal's Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina, Arsenal's German defender Shkodran Mustafi, Arsenal's French defender Laurent Koscielny and Arsenal's English striker Danny Welbeck, (front row L-R) Arsenal's English midfielder Jack Wilshere, Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette, Arsenal's Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal's Spanish defender Nacho Monreal and Arsenal's German midfielder Mesut Ozil pose for a group photograph ahead of the UEFA Europa League first leg semi-final football match between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 26, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / IKIMAGES / Ian KINGTON

Atletico Madrid’s Croatian defender Sime Vrsaljko receives his first yellow card for this challenge on Arsenal’s English midfielder Jack Wilshere (L) during the UEFA Europa League first leg semi-final football match between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 26, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS

Arsenal have officially released Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla alongside ten others. The London club also signed three young players on their professional contract while two players signed contract extensions.

Jack Wilshere, 26, spent ten years at his boyhood club after he wasn’t given assurances of playing time. He was told by the new manager, Unai Emery that his game time will be ‘significantly reduced’ but Wilshere wanted to play regularly. Wilshere was prepared to sign a reduced contract but the negotiations were not fruitful when he was notified he’d not be playing as much as he’d like.

Santi Cazorla will also leave the club after his injury-ravaged final two seasons. The Spaniard’s last appearance was in October 2016. Cazorla will spend his pre-season with La Liga side, Villareal.

Per Mertesacker will also leave his playing role to resume his role as Arsenal’s Academy manager.

Players released at end of contracts

Marc Bola

Santi Cazorla

Alex Crean

Vlad Dragomir