Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has refuted claims that Mesut Ozil has received a final ‘take-or-leave offer’ at the Emirates whilst reiterating that talks are still ongoing with Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
The pair are approaching the final six months of their respective contracts, and this has intensified speculation over their futures in recent weeks, although Wenger has revealed his ambition to keep hold of the attacking pair.
Speaking in the lead-up to the West Ham game, Wenger dismissed suggestions that Ozil has received a final contract offer from the club, while insisting that the door is always open for both the German and Sanchez to stay beyond the summer.
“No. Negotiations are always going on with everybody. I said that many times [that I want Sanchez and Ozil to stay] and that’s all we can say. Is it two years to go? One year to go? Three months to go? The door is always open and for the rest I cannot tell you much more,” he is quoted by Sky Sports.
Ozil and Sanchez have had mixed spells in the Premier League campaign this term, but the former in particular has stepped up of late with his desire to track back, something which he would have been reluctant to do in previous times.
Arsenal are currently fifth in the English top-flight with 29 points, but their position could have been much better, had they maintained a similar form displayed at home on their travels.
The north London giants have accumulated 21 points out of a possible 24 at the Emirates, but their away form has been a huge disappointment with just one point on average, in the eight matches played.
Arsene Wenger’s side take on West Ham United in the Premier League tonight, and they will be seeking to secure just their third win on their travels to take advantage of any lapse from Liverpool, who are fourth and a point ahead of them in the standings.
