Issue over contracts 'ideal' for Wenger
Wenger claimed that the length of a contract had no impact on a player’s performance. Photo: Reuters/Hannah McKay
Arsene Wenger made the bold claim that it was "ideal" Arsenal had eight players out of contract in less than 12 months' time, also hinting that Mesut Ozil would see out his deal and leave on a free transfer next summer.
The Arsenal manager was speaking after their 2-1 defeat by Sevilla in a pre-season tournament.
In addition to Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, who is due to resume training tomorrow, Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Per Mertesacker and Mathieu Debuchy will be out of contract next summer.
Asked whether that was an issue, Wenger said. "Not an issue. I think it's an ideal situation.
"I think in the future you will see it more and more. The transfer fees are so high, even for normal players, you will see more and more players going into the final year of their contract because no club will want to pay the amount demanded."
Wenger claimed that the length of a contract had no impact on a player's performance.
"When you're a football player you perform until the last day of your contract. Whether you have two or one year left, it doesn't change," he said.
"You want to play and do well. Do you really think they sit in the dressing room and think, 'oh, I have one year to go, I will not play well today'."
Record £52.7m signing Alexandre Lacazette scored on his first start at the Emirates in the 2-1 loss to Sevilla. © Daily Telegraph, London.
