Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has denied suggestions that Mesut Ozil has already agreed personal terms with Barcelona over a proposed move at the end of the campaign.
The Germany international is approaching the final six months in the New Year, and he will be free to speak to clubs overseas having made no progress in terms of an extension.
Speaking prior to the Brighton game, Wenger stressed that there has been no sort of agreement between Mesut Ozil and Barcelona, he said, as per Sky Sports: “No. What kind of control can I have over that [speculation]? All these people have agents who can talk to anybody. That doesn’t disturb people, that happens all through their career.”
Both Sanchez and Ozil will enter the final year of their respective deals in January, but the Gunners head coach has insisted that he does not doubt their commitment to play from the off.
The Gunners are currently just one point adrift of the final Champions League final spot occupied by Tottenham Hotspur, but they nevertheless face a tricky game at Turf Moor with Burnley, who are equal on 22 points for the campaign.
The FA Cup holders sealed a double over the Clarets with the last-gasp winners last term, but Wenger will expect a stronger performance this time around after a confidence-boosting win over Spurs last weekend.
Arsenal did lose a Europa League group stage tie versus Koln midweek, but the game is unlikely to have an impact as Wenger chose to play a second-string lineup at the Rheinenergiestadion on Thursday.
