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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that he believes that contract rebels Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil will stay at the club beyond the winter transfer window.
Both players will be free to sign pre-contract deals with foreign clubs in January, as the pair will have just six months left on their contracts in the January transfer window.
The pair have rejected new terms at the north London club. They are expected to move on in the near future. Speculation regarding their futures has dominated the north London clubs headlines in the last year.
At his press conference ahead of the Gunners game with Huddersfield on Wednesday night, Wenger was asked if the pair would be at the club on February 1st.
The Frenchman replied
Yes, of course. That is what we said many times.
Asked again if the club has completely ruled out selling the pair, Wenger said:
Yes, I rule it out, I do not think every day about that. At the moment I think, as long as they are here, they have to give their best for the team and for the club. In my head, they stay until the end of the season.
That was the decision taken at the start of the season – unless something unbelievable happens, I don’t think it should change.
They are going into the final year of their contract. Will they stay longer? That is impossible to answer today but they have a contract until the end of the season.
PressBureauTV
Linked with moves elsewhere
Alexis Sanchez was reportedly close to making a deadline day move to Premier League rivals Manchester City. However, the Gunners could not find a replacement for the Chilean and the deal fell through. Media reports suggest that the Citizens are likely to renew their interest in Sanchez in the summer. The league leaders would then be able to sign the former Barcelona star without a fee.
Mesut Ozil has been linked with moves to numerous clubs. Manchester United are believed to be the favourites to sign the German international in the summer. Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho previously coached Ozil at Real Madrid and is a big fan of the playmaker.
Ozil a doubt for Huddersfield game
The 28-year-old is a doubt for Wednesday’s game with Huddersfield due to illness. He missed the 1-0 win at Burnley on Sunday and is still a doubt to feature against the Terriers.
Arsenal are looking to record a 13th straight home win in the Premier League against David Wagner’s team. Town have been poor on their travels in the Premier League, suffering defeats in four of their last five games on the road.
Scoring goals on their travels has been a major problem for the visitors. The Yorkshire side have failed to score in their last five away games in the top-flight. The fact that the Gunners have kept clean sheets in four of their last five home games in the Premier League does not bode well for the visitor’s trip to the capital.
Arsenal returned to the top-four at the weekend with that win over Burnley. Everybody connected with the club with be confident of cementing their place in the Champions League spots with a victory in this clash.
Will Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil still be at Arsenal on February 1st?
