Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger denies contract talks with Mesut Ozil have collapsed.

Wenger did admit discussions have “slowed down" in the past couple of weeks but insists that dialogue is still open and the club want the 28-year-old playmaker to re-sign.

German media claim talks have stalled since February.

But on Wednesday Wenger said: “Yes, of course (I am hopeful).

"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."