Ian Wright sounds alarm on Arsenal’s ‘Liverpool-like’ contract situation around THREE big-name superstars – and fears they will leave without a ‘massive’ transfer window

Ian Wright has warned Arsenal risk losing their star players unless they demonstrate ambition, as the club legend insisted the Gunners need a ‘massive’ summer transfer window.

Mikel Arteta’s side suffered a major blow in their Premier League title race by losing 1-0 at home against West Ham on Sunday, with leaders Liverpool then beating Man City 2-0 on Sunday to extend their lead to 11 points at the top.

It leaves the Gunners facing the prospect of finishing as runners-up for a third consecutive season, after narrowly coming up short in two title races with Man City.

Arsenal’s faltering title bid has increased criticism of the Gunners activity in the transfer market, particularly centering around their failure to recruit a striker.

The Gunners opted to play Mikel Merino as a makeshift forward against West Ham, amid injuries to the likes of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Speaking on the Wrighty’s House podcast, former Arsenal forward Wright claimed the club have failed to act on their need to sign a forward for three years and warned the lack of ambition shown could lead to key players questioning their futures.

The Gunners have been criticised for failing to sign a striker to boost Mikel Arteta’s squad 

Club legend Ian Wright suggested star players may consider the future if ambition is not shown

Wright expressed fears Arsenal risk a similar scenario to Liverpool, where Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contracts have run down and will expire in the summer. 

He highlighted Bukayo Saka and William Saliba as being among the players who would attract suitors from other top clubs around Europe, adding that reigning European champions Real Madrid would take the latter ‘tomorrow’. 

‘When you’re talking about renewals with certain players, Saka, Gabriel [Magalhaes], Saliba, the way they’re moving now, I bet those renewals are all going to be slow,’ Wright said.

‘We’re going to have a situation maybe like Liverpool with Trent, Salah and Virgil.

‘If I’m one of these players, and their teams are going to be saying, “Let’s wait and see, we’ve got two years left so let’s wait and see who they get in the summer. I know the manager has signed again but let’s wait and see”.

‘If they’re not going to get the kind of players that take us to the next step, look at Saliba. Real Madrid would take him tomorrow.

‘Why not wait and see what’s going on in the summer to see the kind of players and calibre of player we’re signing. This is what the people upstairs need to be careful of.

‘I’m sure Mikel will have told them that because he’s probably got the same kind of ambition: if you’re not going to give me the kind of players I need, I’m not going to be able to keep the players I’ve got here that are our best players, who are now running down their contracts.

Wright fears Arsenal risk mirroring Liverpool with star players running down their contracts

Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool contracts expire this summer

Bukayo Saka is among Arsenal’s key players who have two years left to run of their deals

‘We haven’t even got into that conversation yet about these players. This summer and who comes is f***ing vitally important to these players.

‘There’s a lot going on right now that needs to be unpacked by these people upstairs and they better get it right. They better get it right.’

Wright’s concerns come with Saka, Saliba and Gabriel’s contracts expiring in 2027, with the trio entering the final two years of their respective deals.

Saliba, who has been a crucial part of Arsenal’s defence in recent seasons, has been repeatedly linked with a possible move to Real Madrid.

Reports earlier this month claimed the Frenchman has been made Spanish giants ‘top target’ for the summer transfer window.