Arsenal close to finalising deals for key players

Arsenal are close to finalising deals to keep key duo Olivier Giroud and Francis Coquelin. 

The club are in advanced discussions to sign up the French stars beyond their existing contracts and are confident of a positive outcome. 

Coquelin's current £40,000-per-week deal still has two and a half years to run but the new contract would extend his stay until 2021 and double his salary. 

Giroud is expected to sign a 12-month extension to his current deal which expires at the end of next season. 

If they sign it will be a major boost for manager Arsene Wenger, who is still trying to convince Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to agree new deals. 

The club are optimistic of keeping Ozil, who recently bought a house in London. 

They expect to tie the German midfielder to a five-year contract worth £200,000 a week. There remains significant doubt, however, about the future of Sanchez. 

The Chilean who is driving a hard bargain after receiving a £400,000-a-week offer from the Chinese Super League. 

The Gunners will also offer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a new long-term contract.