Arsene Wenger: 'Mesut Ozil contract talks have stalled'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that talks with Mesut Ozil over a new contract have "slowed down a bit" since the end of the transfer window.

The Frenchman still remains hopeful of tying down the Germany international, who is due to see his current deal expire in North London next summer.

Ozil has again been linked with a move to Manchester United in the German press, while other European clubs have also shown an interest, but Wenger is refusing to give up on keeping the 28-year-old at the Emirates Stadium beyond the end of the season.

"Yes, of course [I am hopeful]," he told reporters. "The contract talks have slowed down a little bit since August 31, because we need a little breather and to focus on the competition. But we will slowly get back into that."

Ozil, absent from Arsenal's squad to face FC Koln on Thursday night, is said to be demanding an improvement on his £140,000-a-week wages before committing to the club.