Arsenal players want Alexis Sanchez gone before the weekend but Manchester United transfer hinges on Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Arsenal’s players want Alexis Sanchez’s proposed move to Manchester United concluded before Saturday’s home game against Crystal Palace.

The 29-year-old was left out of last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth with Arsene Wenger claiming the situation would be resolved within 48 hours. Manchester City subsequently dropped out of the race, leaving United in pole position, but negotiations have slowed as an agreement over a swap deal which would see Henrikh Mkhitaryan move to Emirates Stadium has yet to be reached.

Standard Sport understands that many players have grown weary of the Sanchez saga dragging on and want a resolution this week.

It is believed Sanchez has become an increasingly divisive figure as he continues to agitate for a transfer. Wenger’s decision to drop Sanchez against Bournemouth was partly based on tensions within the camp and the Gunners boss could face another tough call should Sanchez remain an Arsenal player this weekend.

Talks are continuing over Sanchez’s switch to Old Trafford but the current deal now hinges on Mkhitaryan agreeing to move the other way. The Armenian is keen on joining Arsenal but is seeking an increase on his £140,000 weekly wage at United.

The Gunners are, to an extent, hamstrung by the £300,000-a-week offer they made to Sanchez, with Mkhitaryan’s agent Mino Raiola using that figure as evidence of how far they can go.

A straight cash deal is an alternative with United prepared to pay £35m but Wenger would prefer to include Mkhitaryan with the pursuit of other targets - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund and Bordeaux’s Malcom - on the backburner until the final terms of Sanchez’s departure are clear.

Arsenal are highly unlikely to sign all three. United remain confident of landing Sanchez and the Gunners’ hopes of securing a player in exchange increased today when quotes from Mkhitaryan dating back to 2009 resurfaced. “My favourite team is Arsenal,” he told Uefa’s official website aged 20 when playing in Armenia.

“I like their attacking play. Moreover, Arsene Wenger puts faith in young players while demanding results. I like that and want to play there.”

Sven Mislintat’s (above) involvement is also in Arsenal’s favour. The Gunners’ new head of recruitment brought Mkhitaryan to former club Dortmund in 2013 and knows Raiola well. Mislintat could also prove a key figure if Arsenal follow through on their interest in Aubameyang. Reports in Germany suggest Aubameyang’s father is due in London to discuss a deal but Arsenal have so far indicated they are unwilling to meet the £55m valuation.

Olivier Giroud could be used as a makeweight - something Arsenal originally proposed before completing a cash deal with Lyon for Alexandre Lacazette last summer.

The Gunners have sought to lower their wage bill by offloading Francis Coquelin to Valencia in addition to Theo Walcott, who is on the brink of a £25m move to Everton. The 28-year-old passed his medical on Wednesday morning.