Arsene Wenger rules out January exits for Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, Arsenal hire Barcelona’s football director

ARSENE Wenger provides an update on Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, while Arsenal has poached one of Barcelona’s key football figures.

Mesut Ozil (L) and Alexis Sanchez. / AFP PHOTO / IKIMAGES / Ian KINGTON

ARSENE Wenger has ruled out January departures for Arsenal pair Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil unless “something unbelievable” happens.

The players are out of contract at the end of the season as both have so far refused to sign new deals.

Ozil has been linked with a move to Barcelona while Sanchez almost joined Manchester City in the summer transfer window, only for Arsenal to pull the plug when they failed to land Monaco’s Thomas Lemar as his replacement.

Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Wenger says he has no concerns over the pair’s commitment, with Sanchez scoring a late penalty as the Gunners won 1-0 at Burnley on Sunday to move into the top four.

“Yes, I rule it out,” Wenger said before Arsenal face Huddersfield on Wednesday.

“At the moment, as long as they are here, they have to give their best for the team and for the club.”

— AFP

GUNNERS POACH BARCA FOOTBALL DIRECTOR

Barcelona’s director of football will join Arsenal early next year as the latest arrival to the English club’s backroom staff.

Arsenal says Raul Sanllehi will lead its “future player negotiations,” working alongside manager Arsene Wenger, and “represent and support the club with international and domestic governing bodies.”

Arsene Wenger. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Sanllehi officially joins in February, ending a 14-year association with Barcelona. He was involved in the deal that saw Neymar join Barcelona from Brazilian side Santos in 2013.

Arsenal said last week that Sven Mislintat, the man credited with creating the production line of young stars at Borussia Dortmund over the past decade, was joining in December as its head of recruitment. It was announced on the same day that scout Steve Rowley was to stand down from his role after 25 years.

— AP

Originally published as Arsene Wenger rules out January exits for Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, Arsenal hire Barcelona’s football director