Arsenal: No Alexis Sanchez & Mesut Ozil exit in January - Arsene Wenger
Last updated on .From the section Arsenal
Manager Arsene Wenger says forward Alexis Sanchez and midfielder Mesut Ozil will be at Arsenal after the January transfer window "unless something unbelievable happens".
The contracts of both players expire at the end of the season.
Asked if his gut feeling is they will stay, Wenger replied: "Yes, of course."
The Frenchman also said it is in midfielder Jack Wilshere's "best interest" to remain with the Premier League club.
Wenger added: "I will absolutely fight for him to stay here because he's a top-quality player."
England international Wilshere, 25, has struggled with injuries since making his Arsenal debut in 2008 and spent the 2016-17 campaign on loan at Bournemouth.
He has yet to make a Premier League start this season.
Both Sanchez, 28, and 29-year-old Ozil are key figures for Wenger.
Chile forward Sanchez, who arrived in 2014 from Barcelona, has scored 56 goals in 113 appearances, while Germany international Ozil has produced 45 assists since his debut in September 2013, more than any other Premier League player.
Wenger said: "As long as they are here, they give their best for the club.
"In my head, they stay until the end of the season. Unless something unbelievable happens I don't see that changing."
Asked if they will remain beyond the end of the 2017-18 campaign, he added: "I am not the only one to decide that. They have to decide that as well."
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"Please God send us back a reincarnated Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp"
Now I might be going out on a limb here but I'm not sure you realise how reincarnation works...
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It would be only right and proper for Sanchez and Ozil or their representatives to afford Arsene Wenger and Arsenal Football Club the basic courtesy of confirming their intentions. Both have acted with a complete lack of integrity.
Also showing signs of good form. More classic signs that they’re off.
yeah....City are tearing their hair out... I mean how can they possibly win the league without Sanchez?... I see theyre struggling without him right now...
In today's market, taking a hit on Ozil and Sanchez by effectively renting them for a season actually makes financial sense if it ensures Champions League football next season. Try replacing one, let alone both. If Wenger has the carrot of CL footie to dangle come May, he can attract better players.
Funny way to go about business though.
It's time to have legally enforced contracts though. 5 years means 5 years, unless the club agrees they can leave. Tapping up should be illegal with massive fines imposed. Agents need regulating.
I hope that both stay and sign new contracts as unlikely as that may be.
@69 HA9 - last season you finished above us for the first time in twenty years, so it is no wonder that you are so excited about it. Don't worry, normal service will be resumed whether or not Alexis and Ozil leave.
Dictionary description of 'gut feeling' is 'an instinctive feeling, as opposed to an opinion based on facts.'
Say no more.