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Defender Shkodran Mustafi could lead a clearout of Arsenal players this summer, according to the Daily Mail.

Manager Unai Emery is set to sell as many as seven players when the transfer window reopens.

What’s the word?

The Germany international turned in another error-strewn display as the Gunners lost 3-2 to Crystal Palace at the Emirates on Sunday.

And Mustafi will be placed in the shop window this summer claims the Mail’s report, though Arsenal may struggle to find a buyer given his performances this term.

Emery has a budget of just £45million this summer but he will be allowed to top that kitty up with player sales, and the struggling German won’t be the only one to go.

Along with Mustafi, both Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan could leave the club – the Germany international earns £350,000-per-week and the Gunners are keen to shift him off the wage bill.

Carl Jenkinson and Mohamed Elneny may also depart, while loanees Calum Chambers and David Ospina – on loan at Fulham and Napoli respectively – will likely be sold once they return to north London.

Aaron Ramsey is set to move to Juventus once the season ends, while Petr Cech is retiring. Danny Welbeck, who has endured an injury-prone spell at Arsenal, is unlikely to be offered a new contract, with his deal set to expire in the summer.

Hand over to Emery

Arsenal need to rebuild from the ground up.

And this is a perfect opportunity to give Emery the reigns in the summer transfer window.

The club, of course, are without a director of football or a technical director after Sven Mislintat departed the club.

Allowing Emery to bring in his own targets can only be a good thing.

Arsenal will subsequently have an identity of their own once again, with players brought in surgically, to ensure the club have a very specific playing style.

That should, in turn, help the club achieve their goals, as they again look to finish in the top four in 2019-20.