Arsene Wenger has revealed that Arsenal are working on several new deals for key players in a bid to tie down the core of the team at the Emirates
The news surrounding Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil’s new contracts have been the main focus of the public eye so far this season, but Arsenal are working hard behind the scenes to tie down several other players to new contracts according to Arsene Wenger.
Wenger insisted earlier this week that Sanchez and Ozil would see out their contracts at the Emirates even if it meant they left on a free transfer in 2018, but Arsenal are still deep into negotiations with the duo.
However, Arsenal are also in the midst of negotations with several other players. Kieran Gibbs, Olivier Giroud, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mathieu Debuchy and Jack Wilshere all have a year-and-a-half left on their current contracts, and Santi Cazorla’s contract expires at the end of the season.
According to Wenger, Arsenal are on the case with a number of those players :
“There are six or seven cases at the moment but that is the usual case, it is every year like that,” he said, according to Sky Sports.
“That explains to you why we have a lot of work to do but you are only interested in two cases (Sanchez and Ozil). We work as well on Giroud.”
There were doubts as to whether Santi Cazorla would stay given that he is 31, but the Spaniard is an important part of Arsenal’s side. Wenger has now confirmed that Cazorla will be offered a new contract.
Olivier Giroud’s future has also been speculated upon, given his diminished role in Arsene Wenger’s side this season, but his agent confirmed earlier this week that Giroud was happy at Arsenal and intended to stay at the Emirates at least until the end of the season.
Jack Wilshere’s future at Arsenal was thrown into doubt when he joined Bournemouth on loan, with the Englishman himself admitting that he was uncertain of where he would play his football next season, but Wenger has maintained that he wants Wilshere to rejoin his side.
Per Mertesacker, who has not played a single game this season due to an injury, is also in the final year of his contract, and it is likely that Wenger will want to keep the experienced German around as well.
