Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez transfer sagas will not hurt Arsenal team morale, says Sead Kolasinac

Sead Kolasinac has insisted Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil’s contract sagas have not had a negative effect on their team-mates.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told Standard Sport on Thursday there is a possibility the pair could leave in January if no breakthrough is made in negotiations.

The impasse has dragged on for months and although Ozil’s agent claimed this week that talks had been “positive”, the Gunners are preparing for the possibility no agreement will be reached.

Last month, Sanchez and Ozil prompted irritation throughout the squad by skipping an event at which they were expected to do their share of media duties, but Kolasinac believes morale is high ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Watford.

“Of course, we would be happy to keep them, but I think it is important not to talk about the contracts,” he said. “Mesut and Alexis are two players who always give their all and it is not an issue. It is not a problem around the team. It gives the team security knowing we have players like them, knowing they can make the difference.”

Kolasinac, who is a doubt for tomorrow’s match with a hip problem, has been an instant hit with Arsenal fans since joining from Schalke on a free transfer - but with just eight appearances so far, the 24-year-old believes there is room for improvement.

“The season is young, but I am happy with how I’ve started,” he said. “But I have got more potential to get better and I want to show that in the coming games.”

If he plays on Saturday, Kolasinac is expected to feature as a wing-back but could be called into a three-man defence if centre-back Laurent Koscielny fails a late fitness test on his Achilles.