Arsenal Transfer News: Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil Talks Addressed by David Miles

Arsenal's club secretary David Miles said new contract talks with Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are going well. 

Both Chile international Sanchez and Germany star Ozil have 18 months remaining on their current deals, and Miles said he was confident the pair's futures would be sorted soon when asked about ongoing negotiations with "senior players"; he also addressed manager Arsene Wenger's transfer plans, per BT Sport:

"

Obviously that's Arsene's domain, and it's in very safe hands. I know he's already looking for opportunities to strengthen the squad. Of course, we know that there are talks ongoing with certain players and certain contracts. At the moment, things are looking pretty good in that way.

"

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Arsenal will be desperate to tie down their two leading performers as the duo have been key to the club's form so far this season, which has seen them hit second place in the Premier League and top their group to reach the last 16 of the Champions League. 

Sanchez in particular has excelled since his switch from a wide attacking position to a central role as the head of a front three. It is a role in which his manager Arsene Wenger was unsure Sanchez could make an impact, as noted by Neil McLeman of the Daily Mirror.

Per the report, Wenger said:

"

When you see the guy who plays wide and can score goals, he can play in the centre and score even more.

I always saw that in Sanchez and I must honestly say I thought many times when I played him last year or two years ago I was wrong.

Because the few ­experiences I attempted with him through the middle were not convincing and I even remember at Everton I changed it at half-time. This year it clicked very early in the season.

"

Arsenal's attack looks far more potent with Sanchez playing through the middle. He has been able to exert even more influence on the team in the centre, and there is greater movement to trouble opposition defences than when Wenger lines up with Olivier Giroud as the focal point and has Sanchez on the flanks.

Sanchez's goal return of 11 in the Premier League so far arguably bears testament to his increased involvement in matches.

OptaJoe highlighted Sanchez's impact for Arsenal on Twitter:

Sanchez's form has also been helped by the form of Ozil, who seems to have stepped up to become a more consistent performer for the Gunners this season.

Ozil has chipped in with five league goals, and his link-up play has been a real driving force alongside the sustained brilliance and work ethic of Sanchez.

The positive comments from Miles over contract negotiations will be welcome news to Arsenal fans, who have watched the club lose some of their leading players in past seasons.

As noted by Jeremy Wilson for the Daily Telegraph, Wenger's current "defining round of contract negotiations with his star players," draws comparisons with the Gunners' attempts to secure Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri six years ago.

Wilson wrote:

"Wenger does not need any reminding of what happened previously. Fabregas returned to Catalonia, and the economic reality of Van Persie and Nasri's refusal to sign a new deal meant that they were also eventually sold before entering the last year of their contracts."

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It is a situation that could prove uncomfortable for Wenger. He has long been an admirable advocate of spending wisely, but that no longer cuts the ice with fans at the Emirates.

Arsenal need to make a statement and tie Sanchez and Ozil down, or failing that, sell them for big money but have suitable replacements lined up and ready to go.

While they would not be keen to look towards London rivals Tottenham Hotspur as an example, the manner in which they have swiftly sorted contracts for their key players—Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli—should be a pointer.

If Sanchez and Ozil stay, Wenger can look to build around them rather than playing a familiar game of catch up with those clubs in the Premier League who won't shirk from spending the money required to win titles.