Wenger promises world-class replacements if Sanchez, Ozil leave Arsenal as Gunners host Chelsea tonight in bid to keep Champions League hopes alive
Arsenal midfielder Alexis Sanchez (left) and winger Mesut Ozil's contracts are set to expire at the end of the current season. Pic/Getty Images
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Arsene Wenger moved to allay the fears of Arsenal fans yesterday saying he would replace both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil with world-class players should they end up leaving. Both Sanchez, who came close to moving to Manchester City on the final day of the last transfer window in August, and Ozil's contracts are up at the end of the present season. Sanchez's attitude and commitment to the club have been questioned by fans and some of his teammates did not congratulate the Chilean after he scored a double in the 3-2 EPL win over Palace last Thursday.
Arsene Wenger
Wenger, whose transfer dealings have been a sore point with sections of the Arsenal support, said he would also be on the look-out for players in the present transfer window. "We are open to any position for the exceptional player that can give us a plus. It depends a little bit on the injuries as well," said the Arsenal manager on the eve of their match with reigning Premier League champions Chelsea. "On the other hand it depends if we manage to extend the contracts of the players who are at the end of their contracts in June. It will depend on that as well. We have to take the consequences of those decisions and respond to it. "How we cope with that, first of all we have not lost them yet, and secondly we will respond to that by bringing in players of top quality. This club has lost many, many big players and has always responded well."
However, the Frenchman, refuted suggestions he was targeting Chelsea's centre-back David Luiz or French midfielder Thomas Lemar from Monaco. The failure to sign Lemar back in August led to the collapse of the Sanchez move to Man City. "I don't want to think about any names, but these reports are wrong," said Wenger, whose side are fifth in the table, six points behind Liverpool but with a game in hand.
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