Arsenal: ‘Overindulged’ Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil still worth every penny

Martin Keown has claimed that Arsenal should sell ‘overindulged’ Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez. Here’s why they’re still worth every penny.

The most important decision of the summer has been made. We now know that Arsene Wenger will be the manager of Arsenal football club for at least the next two years, with the announcement of his signing a new contract coming, officially, on Wednesday morning.

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With that overarching decision made, a summer that is littered with important choices that will have long-lasting ramifications can begin. Perhaps the most significant issue that must be solved in the coming months is the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

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The starring duo have delayed contract talks on a number of occasions, spurning the chance to confirm the extension of their stay in North London, are now set to face a season without Champions League football and have been seemingly let down by a club that is either unwilling, unable or both to match their ambitions. With just one year remaining on their respective deals, the time has come for a decision to be made: Should they stay or should they go?

And as this is the world of modern football, every man and his dog deserve their say, myself included. But first, here is what former Gooner Martin Keown had to say when asked about whether he would re-sign Sanchez and Ozil on BBC Radio 5 live:

"“If they have to say cheerio to those two players, then that is the right decision. They have been overindulged at times this season and they let Arsenal down in the period when they lost twice to Bayern Munich, conceding 10 goals. That is the level of the problem. The club is bigger than two individuals.”"

His points are valid. Both Sanchez and Ozil are a little ‘overindulged’. They are both fairly selfish players who are not the most helpful in aiding the atmosphere and the collectiveness of the dressing room. And yet, despite these flaws, they are still worth every penny that it requires to keep them at the Emirates.

In the Premier League alone, Sanchez and Ozil combined for 32 goals and 19 assists. Either Sanchez, Ozil or both had a direct hand in 51 of the 77 league goals that Arsenal scored last season. Allowing such influential members of the squad, no matter how needy and difficult they may be at times, to leave is utterly foolish.

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It is different if they are adamant in their want to depart, forcing a sale. In that scenario, no money will persuade them and ensuring the highest price and the best destination becomes the number one priority. But if it is a matter of wages, then Arsenal should, quite simply, just cough up, even if they are a little ‘over indulged’ as Keown points out.