Arsenal transfer news: Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini set for showdown summer talks over future

The veteran midfielders are out of contract this summer

Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Flamini could leave Arsenal this summer (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsene Wenger will hold talks with Mathieu Flamini, 31, and Tomas Rosicky, 34, this summer over their future at Arsenal.

Rosicky is out of contract in July 2016, while Flamini's deal expires at the end of this season.

Rosicky has been linked with a transfer back to Sparta Prague, who he began his career with, and played in the first team for between 1998 and 2001.

The Czech international has made 14 Premier League appearances for the Gunners this season, with the playmaker now on the periphery of the Arsenal first-team.

Flamini could be allowed to leave on a free transfer. The 31-year-old is in his second spell with the north London club, having left them to join Milan in 2008. He has been largely used as a substitute this season.

Wenger, meanwhile, has defended Olivier Giroud following criticism from former Arsenal striker and club legend Thierry Henry, and admitted that it was a similar scenario when Henry started out at the club.

Henry was scathing in his belief that Giroud can’t guide Arsenal to the title, claiming he “does a job” but that he isn’t good enough to lead the Gunners to a first Premier League success since 2004.

“I think Giroud is doing extremely well. But can you win the league with him? I wouldn't think so,” Henry said in his role as a pundit on Sky Sports following the 0-0 draw with Chelsea on 26 April.

However, Wenger has leapt to the defence of Giroud, who has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season and 12 in 2015 having suffered a broken leg early in the season.

“I think he’s wrong,” said Wenger, ahead of today’s Premier League trip to Hull. “He’s paid for that. We know all the system now of the modern media, especially on TV. I know how it works. They push you to be controversial because they give you a lot of money.