Arsenal supporters in the Transfer Tavern are expecting a swift return to Champions League football, yet face the prospect of losing key players.

Our resident Gunners are expecting a swift and gracious return to the Champions League and are reportedly targeting several important targets. The likes of Riyad Mahrez and Thomas Lemar have all been mentioned with a move to North London here in the bar.

In addition to their hopes of Champions League qualification, supporters of the North London club are hopeful that they’ll be able to retain their FA Cup crown having defeated Chelsea 2-1 at Wembley in May. Arsene Wenger became the most successful manager in the history of the competition, and the desire to retain their crown could necessitate signings.

However, the possibility still looms that Arsenal will be beginning preparations for the forthcoming season devoid of star players. Our landlord has opted to look at two prominent figures that Arsene Wenger could lose over the duration of the upcoming weeks.

Alexis Sanchez

There simply is no underestimating the significance that the Chilean holds to Arsenal Football Club. The 28-year-old has set the Premier League alight since his arrival from Barcelona in the summer of 2014. Over the duration of the past three seasons, Sanchez has scored an astounding total of 72 goals in 145 appearances for Arsenal – an adequate display of just how vital he’s been for the Gunners.

Chile’s all-time leading goalscorer is rumoured to join Pep Guardiola’s revolution at Manchester City this summer, and so far the player has refused to rule out the possibility of departing Arsenal. To lose a player of Sanchez’s pedigree would be of considerable detriment to Arsenal’s Champions League ambitions. A ratio of nearly a goal every two appearances is lethal and displays how effortlessly Sanchez has accustomed himself to life in England. Very few players fall under the world-class bracket, yet it’s safe to say that Sanchez is more than eligible to place in that category.

Olivier Giroud

Another player who is potentially on the verge of exiting the Gunners this summer is 30-year-old striker Olivier Giroud. Since his arrival in 2011, the Frenchman has testified his status as a crucial member of Arsene Wenger’s team. The fewest goals he’s scored in a season is 16 while scoring 24 in his most productive campaign in an Arsenal shirt – a useful indicator of the consistency that the French international has instilled during his time as an Arsenal player.

A total of 98 goals in 226 games is utterly respectable, and while the Frenchman is ageing, it’s exceedingly difficult to doubt the striker’s importance to Arsenal. Despite featuring predominantly in the league from the substitutes bench, the Frenchman still managed to score 12 league goals last season. Furthermore, while he may not rival the creativity and trickery of Alexis Sanchez, his brute strength and proficient aerial prowess provide another dimension to Wenger’s attack. His departure could be very costly for the Gunners.

Arsenal fans, what are your thoughts? Let us know!