Martin Keown is against selling Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in January, but feels Arsene Wenger has overindulged them.

With the January transfer window just days away, thoughts are now turning to the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

The debate about selling them or not will continue throughout the month.

Martin Keown’s view is that Arsenal have nothing to gain from selling the pair for a reduced price to rival teams.

However, he also feels they’ve been overindulged by Arsene Wenger in what he believes is one of the most difficult periods in the Frenchman’s career.

“I am sure Arsene Wenger will look back on this period as one of the most difficult in his managerial career,” he wrote in the Daily Mail.

“He knows he needs Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil until the end of the season to get Arsenal back in the Champions League. 

“There is little use selling them in January for a reduced fee only to strengthen a rival.

“But he has had to cajole performances from them while not upsetting the rest of the group. 

“Arsenal are only a point off the top four but you wonder where they would be had these two been fully committed for the whole season. 

“Wenger puts so much trust in his players but Sanchez and Ozil have been overindulged. 

“Only once they leave can Arsenal draw a line under this issue.”

I’m not entirely sure what Keown means by “overindulged”.

That implies Arsenal have bent over backwards to keep the two happy, but that hasn’t been the case.

Arsenal haven’t treated them any differently than normal.

It’s a fact that the two are the best players in the squad. Wenger has to select them if they’re fit.

And while there are reports of a dressing room split, it doesn’t seem to be harming the team spirit much at all.

Keown is correct in saying that Arsenal will be able to move on once they’re gone.

But until then, it makes sense to make use of your best players while they’re available.