Well the season has only just ended but before the final whistle had gone this Sunday there have already been a host of transfer rumours circulating the papers and the internet, not least about the current state of Arsenal who have been widely tipped to lose a host of their players this summer. Whilst Arsenal seem to be giving away some of their best talent some of the not so promising youngsters are being kept on to see if one more season will improve them into the players Arsene Wenger want them to be. The problem is that if they haven't been able to cut it this season then without some Arsenal's best players they are unlikely to improve.

Lets start with who is tipped to go or who actually left. Well the first big lose has been Mathieu Flamini to Milan. The central midfielder has had a marvellous season for Arsenal since being given his chance ahead of Gilberto. The Frenchman has been at the heart of some of Arsenal's best performances, doing a lot of the hard graft which has allowed the likes of Cesc Fabregas so much freedom. Whilst Fabregas has taken a lot of the plaudits, Flamini's hard work has gone relatively unnoticed among much of the footballing world apart from those who wear the red & white of The Arsenal. The move to AC Milan on a free transfer has angered many of the Gooners who felt that Flamini was a key element to the side Wenger was building. To lose Flamini to one of Arsenal's European rivals is a big blow, especially as he left for reportedly only an extra £5,000 per week. I admire Wenger for trying to keep a pay structure at the club but if Arsenal want to challenge domestically and in Europe keeping the likes of Flamini is vital. They may be other repercussions for the Gunners, if Arsenal want to be one of Europe's best clubs then they will have to compete with their wages. Its all very well bringing through youngsters at the club but if they do develop into superstars they are going to want wages to match, not be kept on the wages they received whilst still coming through the youth setup.

The lose of Flamini seems to have sent a shockwave through the side and if you believe everything you read in the newspapers there is a cue outside Wenger's door of players asking to leave. Now whilst this may be utter rubbish Alex Hleb has been strongly linked with a move away to join Flamini in Italy. Hleb, signed for £11.25m in 2005, hasn't been a massive success but there is no doubting the Belarusian players quality. When Arsenal have operated with Hleb playing just behind the main striker Hleb has looked good, stepping through defences like they weren't there at times. There is no doubting that his lose would be a huge blow to Arsenal, who are short on wingers as it is. Wenger has created a side that is capable of challenging for the title, as they proved this season and with a few additions Arsenal would have come back even stronger next season. If Hleb joins Flamini in leaving those few additions may stretch to five or six.

Even worse could follow if Fabregas were to leave, this seem like nothing more than newspaper propaganda but if Hleb and Flamini were to leave then what is to stop Fabregas or anyone thinking that Arsenal aren't going to be challenging for honours next season. Without key players Wenger is either going to have to buy, which he seems reluctant to do, or put his faith in his youngsters once again, which has proven to be hit and miss. Again Emmanuel Adebayor has been linked with a move away, although he has denied that rumour this week. If Arsenal were to lose these four key players they would be unlikely to replace them over the summer or challenge for honours next season.

Another problem that rises out of this major problem facing Arsenal is that if they are to lose key players they will have to really on those who have been ineffective this season, I don't like to use the word failures cause that is too harsh. But the likes of  Philippe Senderos, Gilberto, Emmanuel Eboue and Nicklas Bendtner have all had their moments but overall they have failed to impress and as such these are the kind of players Arsenal should be looking to off load and concentrate on keeping the players that helped them finish just five points behind Man Utd. Wenger is again going to have to pull another rabbit out of his hat if the Gunners are to at least challenge for any silverware next season.

Bet on who is going to win the title next season and who you think will leave in the summer at Betting.Betfair.com.