Arteta is the main reason I left Arsenal; he does not treat his players equally’: £40 million Arsenal player finally explains why he left EMIRATE last summer – Not Aubameyang.

Although Arsenal currently experiences stability, some fans may feel a tinge of disappointment due to a player’s departure in January. Mikel Arteta’s team had a quiet month, gearing up for what is anticipated to be another significant summer spending spree. Speculations arise that Arsenal might finally pursue Brentford striker Ivan Toney, a name recurrently linked with the club.

Despite the team’s market influence, particularly in attracting talents like Declan Rice, a noticeable consequence is the increasing gap between Arsenal’s first team and the Hale End academy. The elevation of players from the academy to the first team, exemplified by 22-year-old Bukayo Saka, appears to be a rare occurrence.

Considering this, Lino Sousa, having left Arsenal for Aston Villa in January, may have been influenced by the limited opportunities for academy players. The 19-year-old, with a commendable reputation in North London, opted to seek a more promising future elsewhere. Post-Arsenal, Sousa swiftly joined Plymouth Argyle on loan for the remainder of the season.

Speaking to Plymouth Live since his move, Sousa shed light on his decision, offering insights into his departure from Arsenal. The abruptness of the news surprised Arsenal fans, prompting questions that Sousa now addresses. He clarified his choice, stating, “I wanted to get out and play first-team football, whether that was at Arsenal or elsewhere, and I felt as if Villa provided me the right platform and the right plan to go ahead and do that, so that’s why I made that conscious decision to leave.”