Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil (Getty)

Arsene Wenger has fired a warning at those who hope to improve by leaving Arsenal.

His comments were in relation to Kieran Gibbs, but could just as easily be interpreted as a warning to Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil who are expected to move on at the end of the season.

Gibbs, who left for West Brom over the summer, said ahead of tonight’s meeting with his former side that he will improve at the Baggies. But Wenger disagrees.

‘You look at the players who performed here and left, and you come back to me after,’ Wenger said.

It is a caution Wenger will hope is listened to by Ozil, Sanchez and the various other Arsenal players whose contracts are running low.

‘You hope it goes well for them. I focus on my squad,’ added Wenger.

Ozil and Sanchez will leave Arsenal next summer unless they sign new contracts (Getty)
Arsene Wenger believes players are best served at Arsenal (Getty)

Specifically on Gibbs, who came through the Arsenal academy, Wenger said he will get more defending practice having traded the Emirates for the Hawthorns.

‘You should ask him what he means about being a better defender at West Brom. He will certainly have to defend more because we are a team that goes forward and they are a team who focus more on defending.’

Arsenal players nearing the end of their contracts

2018

Mesut Ozil
Alexis Sanchez
Per Mertesacker
Jack Wilshere
Santi Cazorla

2019

Aaron Ramsey
Theo Walcott
Olivier Giroud
Petr Cech
David Ospina
Danny Welbeck
Nacho Monreal
Mathieu Debuchy
Chuba Akpom

Wenger explained Gibbs was allowed to leave by Arsenal due to fitness concerns about the full-back.

‘[Gibbs] was a regular player many times but he had some fitness worries so we didn’t offer him a new deal and that’s why he decided to go.’

MORE : Arsene Wenger hints Aaron Ramsey could become the next Arsenal captain

MORE : Arsene Wenger must recall Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez and finally unleash his £130million strike force