Report: Arsenal to keep Giroud until Sanchez, Lemar futures resolved

Arsene Wenger will hold onto Olivier Giroud until there's clarification on the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Thomas Lemar, The Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson reports.

Giroud risks being further shunted out of the first-team picture if AS Monaco's Lemar moves to the Gunners ahead of an anticipated third offer for the versatile attacker. His worth could conversely swell, however, if Sanchez forces an exit from Arsenal amid alleged interest from Manchester City.

Giroud, 30, is keen to safeguard his place in France's starting XI ahead of the 2018 World Cup with regular minutes at club level. Although he's stated a preference to remain in north London "to win another title," if a key role in Arsenal's 2017-18 campaign isn't forthcoming he's prepared to move on. Marseille considers itself favourite to land Giroud, but will likely compete with the Premier League bank balance of West Ham United and Ligue 1 rival Lyon for the striker.

Everton is likely out of the race after signing Sandro Ramirez and Wayne Rooney to replace the departed duo of Romelu Lukaku and Arouna Kone on Merseyside.

In contrast to the protracted and so-far unsuccessful attempts to tie down Sanchez to a deal beyond the current agreement of June 2018, Arsenal is relaxed over the futures of Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The latter reportedly snubbed a contract offer earlier this month, but Wenger believes the progress he's recently enjoyed with the Gunners will help strike a deal.

Aside from Sanchez, Ozil, and Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Kieran Gibbs, Wojciech Szczesny, Jack Wilshere, and Carl Jenkinson all have one year left on their respective contracts in the English capital.