The uncertainty around the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil is symptomatic of Arsenal's recent struggles, according to a legend of the club.
Both of the Gunners' star players are out of contract at the end of the season and, in all likelihood, neither will be at the Emirates beyond January as the club aim to make
some money off of their next moves rather than allow them to leave on free transfers in the summer.
Manchester City have been heavily linked with a move for Sanchez this month while reports intensify of Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho's intention to bring Ozil to Old Trafford in the coming weeks so as to avoid a bidding war over the German's salary when the season comes to an end.
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If one or both part ways with Arsenal in the winter transfer window, it will leave the side with two glaring gaps in quality and could seriously hinder Wenger's chances of qualifying for Champions League football next season.
Gunners legend Martin Keown has admitted that he is very concerned about the standing of his former team given Wenger's inability to persuade Sanchez and Ozil to stay, claiming that "there is a bad smell at the club."
"The other night [against Chelsea], [Mesut] Ozil – it was the first time I realised how good a player he was," Keown told
talkSPORT. "He committed everything, he was quick, he was incisive in his play, and he was a different Ozil. He’s been holding back. I don’t want him at Arsenal if he is not going to commit to every match.
"Sanchez now looks like he’s trying to force that move out of the club. I just don’t like the feeling. There is a bad smell at the club and Arsene Wenger can never have been in a more difficult situation at the club, managerial. It must test him every day having to work in this situation.
"He’s been trying to get these players to sign for two and a half years. It’s a conversation which has never gone away and, really, what are you going to get for them now? Are they going to secure Champions League football?
"We‘re five points behind Liverpool who look like they are improving all the time. I don’t see Arsenal making it into the Champions League and Tottenham might struggle to make it into those four spaces. Winning the Europa League might be the only way of getting in there and that might only come at the 11th hour."
