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Uncertainity over Arsene Wenger, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil is hurting Arsenal, says Nacho Monreal

Uncertainity over Arsene Wenger, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil is hurting Arsenal, says Nacho Monreal

Nacho Monreal has admitted doubts over the future of Arsene Wenger, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil is causing uncertainty around Arsenal.

Wenger told Standard Sport after Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at West Brom that he had made a decision on future but insisted that he had not made anyone else aware of whether he would sign the two year contract on offer.

Speaking this week Wenger also confirmed that talks with Sanchez and Ozil, both of whom are out of contract in the summer of 2018, had been placed on hold until the end of the season with little sign of progress in negotiations.

Concerns over the future of the manager and two star players has only added to the sense of crisis around Arsenal, who have lost six of their last nine games, and Monreal conceded that the situation is doing Wenger’s side no good at all.

"For Arsenal as a team and as a club, ideally everyone should continue. But today these are the circumstances: the coach finishes his contract and has not yet communicated whether he continues or not, then there are two important players like Alexis and Mesut who finish their contracts next season and they are waiting for the coach to follow," the Spanish defender told Goal.

"It is a situation of uncertainty, and that does not help. But it is not in our hands either.

"I have a couple of years left at Arsenal. I am very happy there, I feel very valued in the team, and I am quite fine. It is grateful that there are teams that are interested in me, and you never know where you are going to finish, but right now I am happy at Arsenal."

The turmoil on and off the pitch has prompted the most sustained period of fan protest against Wenger in recent years.

Around 300 fans marched against the manager before games against Bayern Munich and Lincoln whilst supporters have also crowdfunded further activities which included a plane trailed over the Hawthorns during the West Brom defeat which called on the offer of a new contract to Wenger to be rescinded.

However the divide among the Arsenal supporters was made apparent moments later when a second plane protest demanded Wenger be treated with respect.

Monreal believes that those supporting Wenger are in the majority.

"Well, it's a complicated time. There is a section of the fanbase that is against the coach," he said.

"Just a part of them, because it is not everybody. I think most of the fans are with him and support him. But there is a small part of the fans that does not agree, and are those who protest.

"We, the players, are with Wenger. He has the final word and he will decide whether to continue or not, because I understand that the club has made a renewal offer. So what he does will be the best thing for him and for Arsenal, for sure."