Arsenal news LIVE updates: Mesut Ozil contract ultimatum, Alexis Sanchez January exit

Arsenal Transfer News LIVE updates: All the latest from the Emirates

Wednesday November 8

Pires' doubts

16.55: Arsenal legend Robert Pires doubts the Gunners players have enough spirit and commitment.

The former winger knows the Arsenal squad well as he often trains with them to maintain his fitness.

“I think Arsenal have a good quality,” he told ESPN.

“Maybe they need more spirit, more commitment. But I believe in this team.”

Dixon: When Arsene should have left

15.25: Arsenal legend Lee Dixon believes Arsene Wenger should have left the Gunners as soon as they beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final on May 27.

Dixon believes the style of football Wenger is playing now is not likely to win Arsenal major honours, such as the Premier League.

“They are very good with the ball and pretty poor without the ball and you don’t win anything like that,” he told talkSPORT.

“You nick a cup but don’t challenge for the big honours if the balance is wrong.

"I honestly think after the FA Cup final, after that amazing performance against Chelsea, it was time for him to go: ‘you know what, I am going to step back from it’.”

The Real hit list…

13:15: Real Madrid have created a shortlist of Premier League players they want to sign in January.

Club president Florentino Perez is reportedly looking to the bolster the squad after the Champions League loss to Tottenham and a slide in the LaLiga table.

The Daily Mirror reports that Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez is said to be leading the list which also features Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera as well as Liverpool's Emre Can.

Sanchez, 28, has less than eight months remaining on his current contract at Arsenal, and talks over an extension are believed to have come to a complete standstill.

The Gunners now face a difficult decision on whether to sell him in January, or risk losing him for free next summer.

Dirtiest teams of the 2017/18 season 

12:30: Premier League teams aren't afraid of physical battles – but which sides step over the line too often?

The Premier League isn't for the faint-hearted with a reputation for ferocious challenges, fierce competitors and fans who will celebrate big challenges like they've won a trophy.

But some teams have stepped over the line too often for referees and have been brought back more times than anyone else for fouls.

Manchester United and Chelsea are among the dirtiest sides in the league, while Manchester City and Liverpool rank on the passive end of the scale.

CLICK THROUGH THE GALLERY HERE TO REVEAL WHICH TEAMS HAVE COMMITTED THE MOST FOULS IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE SO FAR THIS SEASON.

Gunners target Baggies talent

12:00: Arsenal are thought to be showing interest in West Brom’s talented young forward Tyler Roberts.

The Birmingham Mail claim Arsenal, Bournemouth, Swansea and Wolves have been monitoring the The 18-year-old forward, whose contract expires in June 2018.

Roberts has netted four goals in 13 appearances this season for loan club Walsall.

And has been tipped to become a Wales international having been named as a stand-by player for Wales' World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in March.

Turan arrival could spark Coutinho exit

11:00: Arsenal are a step closer to signing Barcelona winger Arda Turan after being told he was free to leave the Nou Camp, reports claim.

According to the Daily Mail, Barcelona want to reduce their crippling wage bill in order to sign Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho.

And have told Turan, Aleix Vidal and Thomas Vermaelen they can leave.

Arsenal have frequently been linked with Turan, who Barcelona paid £34million for in July 2015, and may finally get the deal over the line at a heavily reduced fee.

Prem trio chase Hamburg talent

10:00: Tottenham and Arsenal have joined Chelsea in the battle to sign Hamburg talent Jann-Fiete Arp.

Antonio Conte’s Chelsea were reported to have made a lucrative offer for the 17-year-old forward last summer, but nothing materialised.

And they’re reported to be interested again.

According to German magazine SportBild, the Premier League trio and Juventus have contacted Arp, whose contract expires in June 2019.

Hamburg are desperately trying to extend Arp’s contract to prevent losing him for a small compensation fee.

Koscielny to retire

09:00: France defender Laurent Koscielny will retire from international football after the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the 32-year-old has said.

Koscielny has collected 49 caps since his debut in 2011, playing in the 2014 World Cup and two European Championships including the 2016 edition when the hosts finished runners-up.

"There is an end to everything," Koscielny told reporters ahead of Friday's friendly against Wales. After the World Cup, I would be almost 33-years-old, it will be time to leave the place. I have six months left in the French team to blossom and take as many memories as my wife would say."

Ozyakup on Arsene’s radar… again!

08:00: Arsenal want to sign Turkish midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup

According to Turkish newspaper FotoMac, Arsenal are keen on the 25-year-old midfielder.

The Gunners sold Ozyakup to Besiktas for just £400,000 four years ago.

But they have never forgotten about the playmaker and have supposedly tracked him in recent months, with plans in the pipeline for a £10m bid.

Ozil shirt demand

07:00: Mesut Ozil will stay at Arsenal so long as he can get his hands on Jack Wilshere’s shirt, reports claim.

Ozil, 29, is out of contract at the end of the season and he is stalling over signing a new deal, with Manchester United closely monitoring the situation.

United supposedly believe his advisers would want a £10million signing-on fee in order for him to make the switch.

The German midfield schemer currently takes home £150,000 a week and he is angling for a huge pay rise.

And according to The Sun, Ozil wants to be awarded with the No.10 shirt as part of the new contract too.

Ozil is the Gunners’ No.11, but getting the No.10 jersey, the report adds, would be a big boost for his money-making brand.