While us fans eagerly await any news of which players, if any, will join goalkeeper Petr Cech in suiting up for Arsenal during the summer transfer window. most fans will agree that we need one world class striker and possible a defensive midfielder in our quest for winning the league and challenging for Europe. But while the rumour mills have the club linked with Lacazette, Vidal, Carvalho, Vargas and a few others, 5 players quietly left the Emirates.
Abou Diaby, together with academy players Jack Jebb, Austin Lipman, Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill and Josh Vickers, are leaving Arsenal, having reached the end of their contracts. Diaby leaves the club after 10 years in which he made 180 first-team appearances, scoring 19 goals.
A hugely talented midfielder, unfortunately his time at the club was interrupted by a number of serious injuries. Diaby has also represented France on 16 occasions. Midfielder Jebb, forward Lipman, full-back Ormonde-Ottewill and goalkeeper Vickers came through the Gunners’ Hale End academy together, and went on to represent the club at under-21 level.
Jebb, Lipman and Ormonde-Ottewill have all played for England at youth level. Arsenal would like to take this opportunity to thank Abou, Jack, Austin, Brandon and Josh for their contribution to the club and to wish them well for the future.