Arsene Wenger: Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez may be sold in January
Arsenal boss admits star duo could leave during next transfer window
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger today admitted that the club may sell Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez in the January transfer window.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash at Watford - which kicks off at 5.30pm - Wenger said it was possible that the duo, who are both out of contract next summer, would be sold rather than leaving for nothing at the end of the campaign.
Ozil has been linked with a move to Manchester United, while Sanchez is a target for Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and United.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
According to the Sky Sports website, Wenger told a press conference: “Once you are in our kind of situation, we have envisaged every solution. Yes, it’s possible.”
Contract talks with both players are ongoing, and Wenger said he believes Ozil wants to stay with the Gunners.
“That is my understanding,” Wenger said. “The fact we didn’t agree last year doesn’t mean he wants to leave.
“Both players look happy and, overall, I hope the situation can be turned round, but at the moment we are not close enough to announce anything. Talks are going well.”
Meanwhile, Wenger said he would be speaking to Sanchez to assess his mental state after the striker and his Chile side missed out on a place at next year’s World Cup finals.
Chile lost 3-0 to Brazil and were edged out of the play-offs by goal difference. Wenger believes that the physical nature of the game could have had an effect on Sanchez.
“I will have to speak to him,” said Wenger. “I am more concerned that yesterday afternoon I watched the whole game, Brazil against Chile, to see how difficult was... and I must say he got some special treatment in this game.
“It was a very physical game. Mentally, I will have to assess the situation when he comes back tomorrow.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 3, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - presidential pitching, wavering convictions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Pros and cons of VAR in football
Pros and Cons String of mistakes has put new technology under the microscope
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Can Arsenal really win the Premier League title?
feature How the pundits reacted after the Gunners’ late 3-2 victory over Man Utd
By Mike Starling Published
-
Tottenham vs. Arsenal predictions: race for the Premier League top four
feature Expect a ‘seismic’ north London derby with Champions League qualification on the line
By Mike Starling Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated