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In the London team - a time of change. The English champions have released 17 players from their team, including Sylvain Wiltord, Martin Keown, and Igor Stepanov.
30-year-old Wiltord, who has been playing for Arsenal since the 2000/01 season, played 106 matches for the club and scored 31 goals. The London team acquired the player from the club for 19.7 million euros. Wiltord will also play for the French national team in the European Championship starting today.
Former England national team defender Martin Keown, who spent more than 10 years at the club, 37 years old, entered the "Gunners" team for 3 million euros in 1993. Keown represented his country 43 times in total and participated in the 1992 and 2000 European Championships. Recently, he represented the national team in farewell matches.
28-year-old Latvian defender Stepanov's services have also been rejected, who will participate in Euro 2004 as well. Over the past three seasons, this defender played only 17 times for Arsenal. Last season he was loaned to a club.
27-year-old Nigerian Kanu will also no longer be in the team. In five and a half seasons, this forward represented the London team 119 times, mostly appearing as a substitute, and scored a total of 31 goals.
Arsenal also refused the services of Rami Shaaban, Alex Bailey, Stephen Bradley, Liam Chilvers, Craig Holloway, Nicky Nicolau, Michael Papadopoulos, Paulinho, Ashley Probets. There is no longer room for young team players: Sam Kanu, Dean McDonald, Dorian Small, and Hassan Sulaiman.
This year, the team led by Arsene Wenger triumphed in the English Premier League, but had to withdraw from the UEFA Champions League in the quarterfinals. The Gunners also did not succeed in the English FA Cup.
