BBC Sport reporter David Ornstein reveals explosive Arsenal details after transfer farce

Arsenal made just two signings - Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette - saw several players leave including Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, moves for Thomas Lemar fail and manager Arsene Wenger received a barrage of criticism. 

But in a post on Twitter, BBC Sport reporter David Ornstein has detailed the level of chaos at Arsenal this summer.

He claims Wojciech Szczesny, Olivier Giroud, Jack Wilshere, Mohamed Elneny, Kieran Gibbs, Calum Chambers, Carl Jenkinson and Chuba Akpom were among several players told they could leave the Emirates. 

This was to help raise funds for further signings and to create space on the wage bill to offer contracts to Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Oxlade-Chamberlain.

However only Szczesny, Gibbs and Jenkinson departed with Giroud, Wilshere and Elneny staying while Chambers also remained after Wenger changed his mind about him leaving.

Ornstein says Shkodran Mustafi asked to leave Arsenal which the club were willing to facilitate because they were disappointed with him but they were unable to sign a replacement in mind. 

It is claimed Hector Bellerin returned from under-21 duty with Spain and told Wenger he wanted to leave and that no contract talks with Ozil have taken place since March.

Wenger is said to have been stunned by Oxlade-Chamberlain's decision to leave and 'did not hold back' in a face-to-face meeting with the player.

Arsenal's inactivity means they have a big budget for the next two transfer windows.

Despite a poor start to the season, Arsenal are said to still believe they can challenge for the Premier League title but Wenger did look to solve their central midfield problems.

While owner Stan Kroenke, who has come under heavy criticism from fans, is 'hungrier than ever' to win trophies but will put his own money towards the transfer kitty.