Arsene Wenger has admitted talks with Mesut Ozil over a new contract have slowed down.

Ozil, who has entered the final year of his existing deal, has reportedly turned down an offer in excess of ?250,000 a week to commit his future to the Gunners.

When asked if he was confident about Ozil signing, Wenger said: “Yes, of course. 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.”

Reports in Germany claimed that talks had been abandoned since February and that Manchester United are among the clubs ready to sign him should a deal fail to be struck.