Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez will not be sold in January, says Arsene Wenger
Arsenal boss insists contract rebels Sanchez and Ozil are going nowhere in the winter transfer window even though the pair could leave for nothing next summer
ARSENE WENGER says he will not sell Alexis Sanchez or Mesut Ozil in the January transfer window.
Arsenal had been considering cashing in on their contract rebels with Ozil and Sanchez both out of contract at the end of the season.
But Gunners boss Wenger has today said he has decided neither will be sold because he wants them in his squad until the end of their deals.
Asked if the duo would still be Arsenal players in February, Wenger said: "They will be here.
"I do not think every day about that, as long as they are here they have to give their best for the team and the club.
"In my head they stay until the end of the season – that was a decision taken at the start of the season.
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"Unless something unbelievable happens I don’t think that will change."
Wenger was then quizzed about whether the club can convince either player to commit to new long-term futures at the Emirates.
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He added: "I am not the only one who can decide that, if it is my decision yes.
"In a press conference you are always confronted with many speculations about transfers, for me they stay until the end of the season.
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"Will they stay longer? That is impossible to answer today."
Sanchez, 28, has been angling for a move away from Arsenal for the past year, frustrated at the club's failure to challenge for major honours.
The Chilean saw a deadline day move to Manchester City to collapse in August, and was hopeful a deal could be resurrected in January.
Now he will be asked to stay in North London until next summer, when the signs are he will quit the Gunners on a free transfer.
Germany World Cup winner Ozil is another who has failed to agree terms over a new contract with Arsenal.
Wenger claimed last month he may opt to cash in on the midfielder when the transfer window opens to avoid losing him for nothing.
Barcelona and Manchester United have both been linked with moves for the former Real Madrid star with reports in Spain last week claiming a mid-season move to the Nou Camp was possible.
And former Arsenal striker Ian Wright believes Ozil will snub the offer of staying at the Emirates and make a free transfer switch to Old Trafford.
Wright told BBC Radio: "Mesut Ozil on a free to Manchester United looks a shoo-in. I’m sure Jose Mourinho would love to do that.
"That would frighten me to death. He is a great talent and having great players around him would lift him up as well.
"I’m sure him and his agent would not push it this far if they were going to sign for Arsenal."