Here is the dilemma for Arsene Wenger. On the one hand, he can still get good money for Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in January.

On the other, will he still be in a job without them?

The Arsenal manager played his contract rebel pairing alongside summer signing Alexandre Lacazette for the first time - and the result was as devastating as the hurricane remnants which lashed Merseyside.

True, the trio were given more space than a leper colony with a body odour problem by the Everton defence, and true again, the home side seemed to enter this contest against a side who don't enjoy a physical battle, without a midfield.

Yet give them a sniff of freedom, and both Ozil and Sanchez will kill you - and that is precisely what they did on a rampant afternoon for Arsenal, which went at least a little way to answering Troy Deeney's questions about them from last weekend.

Ozil revelled in the space afforded him (
Image:
Arsenal FC/Getty)

Wenger knows how important they are, he eulogised about Ozil's performance, in which the German created more chances in one game than any other player in the Premier League this season.

“He was superb, agile quick, intelligent always at the service of the team, always passing, when he is at that level he is an exceptional football player,” the manager said.

“It was our most complete performance of the season and Sanchez was on fire. They looked so sharp, and when you have that quality, then we can be so dangerous.”

Ozil and Lacazette both hurt Everton (
Image:
Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Sanchez was excellent throughout (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Pressed though, on the constant speculation that both players will be heading off to Manchester - with Ozil even telling his team-mates he will be heading to Old Trafford – possibly even in January, then Wenger became diplomatic.

First, he suggested there is no way there is unrest, when players perform like they did here, and dismissed the United connection: “What I do with that, well you have to deal with that news.

"The players and myself can only respond to news on the football pitch. We are individuals and focused."

Arsenal players celebrate Ozil's goal (
Image:
Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The Gunners had an incredible 29 attempts on goal away from home, and the pair may love playing for Arsenal, but clearly not enough to sign a new contract.

And Wenger, ever the pragmatist, insisted that for all the quality they bring, players always move on, and new ones emerge, leaving the way open for them to go, as he has openly admitted could happen.

“Look we have just played well and won with 10 completely different players ( from the side who beat Belgrade in midweek). I think we have quality,” he said.

“But what is very important is how our team plays. We want always the best possible individual quality. When you look, I had Giroud, Walcott, Wilshere, Iwobi on the bench.”

poll loading

Will Arsenal finish in the top four this season?

22000+ VOTES SO FAR