Mikel arteta
Arsenal exit for Ozil could be 'best solution', says Arteta
Despite reportedly being the highest earner at the club, Ozil has not featured since a 1-0 win over West Ham on March 7.
Arsenal have been linked with a loan move for Real Madrid playmaker Isco next month, but first of all technical director Edu will attempt to raise funds by moving on those who are surplus to requirements.
Slaven Bilic's sacking by West Brom last week made him the earliest managerial departure in a Premier League season for six years after it took 18 games for Cardiff City to dismiss Neil Warnock in 2014.
City ensured it will be a miserable Christmas for beleaguered Arsenal boss Arteta by condemning his side to a fourth defeat in their last six games in all competitions.
Arsenal are 15th in the table and without a Premier League win since 1 November. They have accrued just two points in the last seven games and are only four points above the relegation zone.
Arsenal's winless league run now stretches to six matches, with the club enduring their worst start to a top-flight season since 1974/75.
Mikel Arteta has faced calls for his sacking after Sunday's 1-0 home defeat against Burnley condemned Arsenal to their worst start to a season since 1974.
Burnley recorded their first-ever win at the Emirates on Sunday as a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang own goal secured a 1-0 victory for the visitors after Granit Xhaka was sent off for the hosts.
Four straight wins have taken Spurs to 20 points after nine games, ahead of Liverpool on goal difference, but Frank Lampard's Chelsea are just two points behind them.
Fireworks are unlikely on Sunday at least off the pitch as 15th-placed United host Arsenal, who are two points better off having played a game more.
Aubameyang put Arteta's side ahead in the first half at Wembley with a typically eye-catching strike.
Several top-flight players have tested positive for COVID-19 since returning from holiday ahead of the Premier League campaign's opening matches on 12 September.
Aubameyang, 31, has just one year left on his deal at the Emirates and given Arsenal's financial predicament, it would make sense to sell in the close season if he cannot be convinced to prolong his contract.
Arsenal's match at Brighton was put on hold after Arteta's diagnosis sent the London club into lockdown, while Chelsea's players and coaching staff were also ordered into isolation.
Reports in British media said Aubameyang, who took his tally to a league-high 17 goals alongside Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy, was a target for Barcelona.
Man City's two-season ban handed down by Uefa on Friday means fifth will be enough to secure a Champions League place unless the champions succeed in overturning that sanction at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The Gunners made Leeds pay for their profligacy with a host of wasted first-half chances before Reiss Nelson scored the winner 10 minutes into the second period.
Arteta was disappointed not to win the game, but said his players had performed well.
Swiss international Xhaka reacted angrily to home supporters booing him as he walked off the pitch in a match against Crystal Palace in October and was subsequently stripped of captaincy by former manager Unai Emery.