Here are the Arsenal evening headlines for Thursday, December 24.
Wenger on Ozil future
Arsene Wenger says that he has an idea of where Mesut Ozil will go but did not want to disclose that.
Ozil has been excluded from the Arsenal squad all season. He has not featured since lockdown in March and is in the final year of his contract.
Wenger, his former manager at Arsenal, was asked about the Ozil situation by German outlet Zeit via The Focus.
"I have an idea where he’s going, but I’m not going to tell you," he said. "With him, it’s always about whether the coach is ready to balance the team defensive.
"Today everyone wants to play with hard pressing and be quick and aggressive in switching. But you still need players like him to see the final pass."
Barcelona's Shkodran Mustafi stance
football.london understands that Barcelona will not make a move to sign Shkodran Mustafi, despite the defender's agent's previous comments.
Mustafi is in the final year of his contract and rejected an offer of an extension earlier this year. He is subsequently expected to leave the club, and his agent claimed that he was attempting to broker a deal with the Catalan club.
However, a club source told football.london that 100% Mustafi will not be signing for Barcelona, who have struggled at centre-back after Gerard Pique went down with a long-term injury earlier this season.
Mustafi has slipped down the centre-half pecking order at Arsenal with the arrival of Gabriel. As a result, Mikel Arteta is dealing with a glut of central defenders, and the German international's departure could free up much-needed squad and salary space.
Thomas Tuchel's next move
Per Bild, former Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel has already decided on his next move after being sacked by the French champions on Christmas Eve.
Tuchel has previously managed in Germany, he has aspirations of taking a Premier League job and is eager to test himself in English football.
Arteta is under increasing pressure at Arsenal. As a rookie head coach, there have been suggestions that he has struggled in such a high-pressure role. Arsenal could turn to the more experienced Tuchel to replace the Spaniard.
Manchester United is another potential landing spot should their form deteriorate under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
