Monte Carlo and bust

Thomas Lemar’s Arsenal switch is off – leaving Alexis Sanchez and Philippe Coutinho in limbo

Gunners are unwilling to let wantaway forward leave without a replacement and have run out of time to strike a deal

ARSENAL'S attempt to sign Thomas Lemar is set to fail - leaving Alexis Sanchez and Philippe Coutinho in limbo.

The Gunners reached a deal worth £55million plus £5m in add-ons to sell wantaway Sanchez to Manchester City.

But despite being prepared to meet Monaco's asking price for Lemar, they were unable to strike a deal for the midfielder.

And with no replacement lined up, Sanchez is set to stay at the Emirates.

Talks were complicated by the fact Lemar is involved in France's crunch qualifier against Holland tonight - hours before the 11pm deadline.

Liverpool were also in the hunt for the 21-year-old as they sought an alternative to Barcelona target Coutinho.

But the Reds were also unable to strike a last-gasp deal - torching the Brazilian's move to Spain.

City left it late in the day to try and prise Sanchez - who is out of contract next summer - away from Arsenal.

And the delay looks to have cost pep Guardiola with Gunners chiefs set to snub their approach.

Boss Arsene Wenger insisted he would prefer to lose Sanchez for nothing in 2018 than cave in to the contract rebel.

And unless the Chile international has a major U-turn, he will be free to speak to clubs in January.

Keeping Sanchez will be seen as a huge bonus for Gunners chief Wenger.

But it remains to be seen in the goalscorer can find top form after making it clear he wanted a move away.

The 28-year old has a sole European league title to his name and feels time is running out to add honours as he approaches his peak.

Coutinho, meanwhile, must now be integrated back into the Liverpool squad after missing the start of the season through injury.

Jurgen Klopp has always said he would welcome the playmaker with open arms despite his intentions to quit Anfield.

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