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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal and Mesut Ozil of Arsenal during the The FA Community Shield between Chelsea and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2017 in London, England.  (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal and Mesut Ozil of Arsenal during the The FA Community Shield between Chelsea and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

Arsene Wenger: Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil's Arsenal Futures Decided in December

Matt JonesNov 15, 2017

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed the club will make a decision on whether to sell Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in the January transfer window before the end of the year. 

Both players' contract with the Gunners will expire at the end of the current campaign, meaning they are each free to discuss a potential pre-contract with other clubs in 2018.

When asked whether that may prompt a sale, Wenger told beIN Sports (h/t Charles Watts of Football.London) the club have yet to make up their mind, but they will soon.

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"No decision has been made on that front," the Frenchman said of his team’s two attacking stars. "Do we let anyone go in January? We'll have to think about that to see where we stand with them at the end of December."

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05:  Arsenal Manager / Head Coach Arsene Wenger gestures during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty

As noted by Watts, Sanchez has long been linked with a move to Manchester City, with the team from the Etihad Stadium eventually having a late £60 million move for the Chilean scuppered in the summer because Arsenal were unable to find a replacement. Pep Guardiola's side are still said to be keen.

Meanwhile, it's added that Manchester United are interested in Ozil. A move to Old Trafford would see the German link up with Jose Mourinho again, with the pair having previously worked together in a spell at Real Madrid.

As we can see courtesy of Goal UK, in addition to these two wonderful talents, the Gunners have other players on their books who also don't have long left to run on their deals:

Even so, if they were to move on in January or at the end of the campaign, they'd each leave a massive chasm in the final third.

Sanchez, in particular, has been a force of nature since he joined Arsenal in the summer of 2014. The Chile international is a tremendous worker, versatile in where he can be used and is so productive when he gets on the ball. There aren't many footballers in the game capable of marrying industry and intricacy as well as him.

Arsenal's Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez (L) celebrates scoring their fifth goal with Arsenal's Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka (R) during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west Englan

Still, as noted by Bleacher Report UK, while usually so prolific, the Gunners' No. 7 has not quite been at his best in front of goal:

Ozil's form has also been a little inconsistent, though while he's typically performed well for Arsenal, peaks and troughs have been a trend since signing from Real Madrid in the summer of 2013.

When he's at his imperious best, the German international is one of the best No. 10s on the planet. He can take the ball in tight spaces and open up defences with his inventive, incisive passing as well as anyone in the league. But too frequently he's lacked that spark in the biggest matches.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 22: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on October 22, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

It'd be intriguing to see how he would fare at United under the guidance of his former coach. As noted by journalist Andy Mitten, the Red Devils have a precedent for pinching star players off the Gunners too:

Arsenal may well assess the situation in December and make a decision on the two stars based on how their campaign is going. Provided the team is scrapping on multiple fronts for trophies, it'd be unwise to sell either Ozil or Sanchez for a knockdown amount.

Nevertheless, at this juncture, it appears extremely unlikely either player will be donning Arsenal colours next season. 

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