Arsene Wenger faced the media this morning and discussed Arsenal's transfer window activity.
The Gunners boss was asked about the proposed swap deal with Manchester United involving Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
He also addressed his club's move for controversial Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gabon frontman has agreed personal terms with the north London club but is also in the squad for Dortmund's clash with Hertha Berlin on Friday night.
Wenger was also invited to provide an update on his pursuit of Bordeaux midfielder Malcom.
Here is the full transcript from the Frenchman's press conference...
On the team news ahead of Crystal Palace clash
“From the last game at Bournemouth we have some uncertainties. We have some uncertainties with Maitland-Niles who has flu.
“We should have Koscielny and Monreal back and available for Saturday. Maybe Ozil back, he should be back as well.
“Olivier Giroud is one week away.”
On Theo Walcott joining Everton
“I am very attached to Theo because he is intelligent, has integrity, total focus on his job.
“I remember he arrived here at 16 and went to the World CUp straight away.
“He scored important goals [for Arsenal] in big games, in finals.
“I regret what happened but he didn’t play enough recently but I thank him and he is always welcome here.”
On Sanchez-Mkhitaryan swap deal
“It can happen, it can as well not happen. It is as that stage.”
Will Sanchez play for Arsenal again?
"Yes. If it doesn’t happen he will play on Saturday.”
Will it happen in the next 24 hours?
“Yes it is likely to happen. But any minute things can break down. That’s how the transfer market is. These things are never guaranteed.”
On Mkhitaryan coming the other way
“Yes that is my understanding. I like the player.”
Will wages be an obstacle?
“No, the wages will not be a problem.”
On Aubameyang
“No I have nothing to add to that. This kind of thing is better when it’s secret.
“You announce it when it’s over the line. Nothing else [other than Sanchez] is close.”
Will Auba fit in with his ‘big’ character?
“Yes, a character can be very positive or very negative. Overall you look at achievement over career and if he has done well the character has been used in a positive way.”
Will Ozil be here in February?
“Yes.”
What about Jonny Evans?
“I have nothing to add on that.”
On not selling Sanchez in the summer
“Look, the problem was similar to what it is today. I only accept to let him go if somebody comes in instead of him.
“I would have let him go in the summer but it [getting a replacement] didn’t happen.”
On a new deal for Jack Wilshere
“We know what we want. We want him to stay. He wants to stay. We have to find satisfying financial agreement and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
On Sanchez potentially getting £500,000-a-week at United
“I do not want to comment on the numbers they offer to Sanchez. I respect Man United because they raise the money they pay to players with their own resources. It’s up to them how much they pay.
“United is a club very well managed financially so I don’t have any problem with what they pay.”
Can Arsenal not compete?
“Financially, yes. But that does not mean we cannot compete on the pitch.
“There is no mystery that United and City have more resources.”
How much did Arsenal offer Sanchez?
“We did the maximum we could afford to do, maybe one day I will come out with the numbers on that.”