At the beginning of the season there was a load of talk about him only wanting to play on the right, but lately I've seen that he's wanting to play regularly as a 9, do we actually have any info on what it is he wants?
I love Gabby and would like to find a way for him to stay. But if he wants to play on the right then he's competing with established wingers like Mahrez and Sterling (assuming neither leaves) plus upcoming talents like Palmer and Alvarez. Not to mention that Foden can probably expect to get some minutes there too, and midfielders like Bernardo and KDB have played wider before and could cover that position if need be.
Gabby would be far from last choice, but still - we have the right wing covered with probably too many options considering our issues in other areas of the pitch.
Up front would be more straightforward, but it seems he'd always be second choice to Haaland, and Alvarez would be pushing for minutes too.
So I get why he might want to leave for the promise of more game-time and as good as he's been for us and as much affection as the club and fans have for him, I think we can afford to lose him without directly replacing him, and use the money to strengthen elsewhere on the pitch.
If he goes, it'll be with best wishes and no hard feelings. I'd rather he went abroad so we're less likely to come up against him, but I understand why he might want to go and work with Arteta again, and if the money's right I wouldn't begrudge him the move to Arsenal.