Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil Sales Would Be 'Right Decision,' Says Martin Keown

Arsenal should sell "overindulged" duo Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil as the "club is bigger than two individuals," according to Gunners legend Martin Keown. 

Each player is about to enter the last year of his contract, and rumours of their departures have been rumbling on for some time. Keown believes it may prove a good decision to let them go, telling BBC Radio 5 live (via BBC Sport): "If they have to say cheerio to those two players, then that is the right decision."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger signed a new two-year contract at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

However, that has reportedly not persuaded either Sanchez or Ozil, both 28, to pen new deals with the club.

According to Matt Hughes in The Times, Chile international Sanchez is eager to move to Bayern Munich this summer, while playmaker Ozil will run down the final year of his contract and leave for free next year.

The pair are widely regarded as Arsenal's two most vital players, but Keown added they are not indispensable (via BBC Sport):

"They have been overindulged at times this season, and they let Arsenal down in the period when they lost twice to Bayern Munich, conceding 10 goals. That is the level of the problem.

"The manager needs to make some really tough decisions now. Sanchez's contract needs to get 100 per cent secured. Is that going to happen? Will Ozil leave?

"I am sure both players want to go elsewhere because they want to win the Champions League, win the Premier League and maybe they do not feel it can be done at Arsenal. The club is bigger than two individuals."

Arsenal's failure to finish the 2016-17 campaign in the Premier League's top four and thus qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League has made the possibility of keeping hold of Sanchez and Ozil much slimmer.

They will be hugely difficult to replace should they depart, particularly Sanchez, who netted 24 league goals in 2016-17 and provided 10 assists, per WhoScored.com.

However, it is becoming increasingly likely both will depart, so Wenger will need to look to the transfer market to find adequate substitutes.