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GUNNERS, GOING, GONE?

Arsenal end pursuit of Thomas Lemar as offloading outcasts like Lucas Perez, Kieran Gibbs and Mathieu Debuchy becomes Arsene Wenger’s focus

Jack Wilshere's future is also high on the agenda as he looks to get regular first-team football at the Emirates or elsewhere

ARSENAL have quit their pursuit of Monaco man Thomas Lemar as Arsene Wenger concentrates his energy on flogging the club’s fringe players.

The Gunners have been chasing the attacking midfielder all summer and have, at times, looked close to securing his signature.

 Thomas Lemar played for France against Sweden and England at the end of last season
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Thomas Lemar played for France against Sweden and England at the end of last seasonCredit: Getty
 Thomas Lemar could be a step nearer to joining Arsenal after reportedly telling Monaco he wants to leave
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Thomas Lemar could be a step nearer to joining Arsenal after reportedly telling Monaco he wants to leaveCredit: ERIC GAILLARD

However, the Mail reports Arsene Wenger has given up on landing the France star and is instead working on deals to shift the likes of Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Mathieu Debuchy and Lucas Perez.

Despite having so many players available, Wenger’s men only stumbled to a Premier League win over Leicester on the opening day.

Carl Jenkinson and Joel Campbell also need new clubs while Perez is particularly unhappy after his No9 shirt was snatched off of him and handed to Alexandre Lacazette.

The Spanish forward wants to return home, though Deportivo La Coruna are unlikely to be able to match the wages he earns in north London.

Gibbs was lining up a move to Watford but that fell through and their impressive start against Liverpool might tell them the left-back is not essential.

Wilshere has been linked with a move to Newcastle – where gaffer Rafa Benitez is unhappy with his lack of summer recruits – as he seeks first-team football in this World Cup year.

After Friday's 4-3 win over Leicester, Wenger said: “I feel overall we have good ingredients in the squad and it is a good opportunity at Stoke to show it again away from home.

“I played with a four at the end with (Alex Oxlade-) Chamberlain on the right and Hector Bellerin on the left and both of them did very well.” 

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