Arsenal release 22 footballers from men and women’s teams

• Arsenal have released 22 players ahead of the expiration of their contracts 
• It includes two players from men’s first team and a star striker from the women’s
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Arsenal have released 22 players from the men and women’s team ahead of the expiration of their contracts this month. 

Mikel Arteta‘s men were pipped to the Premier league title by Manchester City for the second consecutive season. 

Meanwhile, the women’s team finished third in the WSL, behind winners Chelsea and Manchester City but won the League Cup. 

Both teams will seek to mount another title challenge and go a step further next season, and preparations have begun. 

There have been 19 players released from the men’s team with their contracts set to expire on June 30. 

Mohamed Elneny is  a notable name on the released list and will leave Arsenal after eight years in north London.  

The Egyptian midfielder made 161 appearances for the club and was part of the side that won FA Cup in 2017 under Arsene Wenger. 

Right-back Cedric Soares will also depart the Gunners after making 64 appearances over the course of five years, having initially joined on loan from Southampton in 2020. 

Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who spent last season on loan at Wrexham, will leave Arsenal after 15 years with the club. 

The contracts of youngsters Amario Cozier-Duberry, Karl Hein and Reuell Walters are set to end to but Arsenal say ‘discussions are ongoing’ and decisions will be announced in ‘due course’. 

From the women’s team, star striker Vivianne Miedema will head for the exit door after her departure was announced last month. 

Mail Sport understands it was a club decision not to renew Miedema’s contract, but the forward remains highly thought of. 

The Holland international, who is the WSL’s all time top goalscorer with 80 goals, is attracting interest from Manchester City. 

She scored 124 goals in 166 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal having joined the club from Bayern Munich in 2017.