Sagna wait goes on for Gunners

Arsenal are no closer to tying up a contract extension for defender Bacary Sagna, manager Arsene Wenger has revealed.

The 31-year-old France international will be a free agent in the summer and has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium, with the likes of Inter Milan, Paris St Germain, Galatasaray and Manchester City all said to be interested in acquiring his services.

Wenger remains hopeful Sagna, who joined from Auxerre in July 2007, will eventually opt to stay on with Arsenal, with a deal, understood to be for two more years, having been on the table for some time.

“At the moment they (talks) are not progressing. We know what we want from him, he knows what is on the table and that is where we are,” said Wenger.

“The ball is not in our camp anymore, it is in his camp, and he needs to come back to us.”

Arsenal host Newcastle on Monday night looking to cement their place in the top four of the Barclays Premier League ahead of Everton.

Captain Thomas Vermaelen is expected back from a hamstring problem.

Defender Kieran Gibbs is still sidelined by a hamstring problem, while England midfielder Jack Wilshere continues his recovery.

“Jack is progressing well. He is is still on target to be with our team in the last couple of games,” Wenger added.