Arsenal round-up: Wenger’s new deal; Sanchez and Ozil contract latest; leading race to sign Leicester star

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According to the BBC Sport, Arsene Wenger has agreed on a new two-year contract with Arsenal and will continue in his role as manager, putting an end to the speculation regarding his future. The Frenchman met with Stan Kroenke on Monday to determine his fate and the decision made will be relayed to the board shortly, but an official announcement won’t be made by the club until Wednesday. This will mean that the manager extends his 21-year reign at the club, despite opposition from ex-players and a growing section of supporters.

This should have been put to bed a long time ago and it has been a bad thing for the football club that it has dragged on to this stage, especially after it became clear that he would be staying in the role. There have been rumours about a new two-year contract for months and it is now clear that those were true. Given the regression made this season in the league in terms of finishing position, it may have been wise to extend his deal by only one year and address it again next season. However, a clear message has been sent and it is now imperative that the club get their transfer business right, as there is a lot of work to be done.

The next task for the club is to resolve the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, as both are entering the final year of their current contracts. The Telegraph report that they are preparing to make fresh contract offers that will cement the two as the highest paid players at the club. Wenger believes that he has a group that can win the Premier League if they are kept together and supplemented by two or three big signings, but it is imperative that they keep these two players. It is more likely that Ozil agrees to stay as there is more interest in Sanchez.

Arsenal need to do everything in their power to keep these two at the club as they are the two best players in the attack and possess world class ability. Nobody else at the club have their ability to win a match on their own and it would be difficult to replace them with players of a similar level. Sanchez seems like he will be leaving as there is interest from Chelsea, Manchester City and Bayern Munich. They are all huge clubs who have a better chance of challenging for major honours than Arsenal. However, there hasn’t been as much interest in Ozil and for that reason, it is more likely that he will stay with the club.

Riyad Mahrez has handed in a transfer request at Leicester City and is likely to be on the move this summer. Goal report that he is keen to stay in the Premier League and that Arsenal are emerging as the favourites to sign him. He has become one of the best players in the Premier League over the last two seasons and it would be a big signing for the Gunners if they were to complete a deal.

The Gunners need to be aware that their recruitment will be damaged by a lack of Champions League football and the very best players won’t be interested in a move to the Emirates Stadium. This is why a move for Mahrez makes sense. He won’t be put off by not playing in the Champions League, while he possesses the ability to star in the Premier League. During the 2015/16 season, he was voted PFA Player of the Year in the year that Leicester City won the title. His most recent campaign wasn’t as good, but he would be a good signing for Arsenal and improve the side’s attack.

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