By Matt Barlow

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Mesut Ozil and Angel di Maria have dashed the hopes of Arsenal and Manchester United by vowing to stay at Real Madrid and fight for their places, despite the imminent arrival of Gareth Bale.

Ozil and Di Maria are aware their positions in Carlo Ancelotti's team are the most under threat from Bale.

Yet they are both determined not to be forced out of Real in order to help the club recover some of their world-record outlay.

Not tempted: Mesut Ozil will again resist the chance to move to the Premier League

Not tempted: Mesut Ozil will again resist the chance to move to the Premier League

'I am not afraid of this deal,' said Ozil on Wednesday, when asked about Bale at an event to mark his new boot deal with adidas. 'I am happy to play with the best players in the world and I am sure I can manage this new situation in the team.'

Manchester United, who tried to sign him in 2010, and Arsenal are both interested in the 24-year-old Germany playmaker, who would demand a salary of nearly 200,000 a week to better his deal in Spain.

'I will stay,' said Ozil. 'I am happy to be at Real Madrid and proud to be part of this team. It is an honour and a privilege. I have a contract until 2016. I am flattered that great teams are interested in me but I have a contract at Real Madrid and I will stay. There is no discussion.'

Staying put: Angel Di Maria is also determined to remain at The Bernabeu

Staying put: Angel Di Maria is also determined to remain at The Bernabeu

Di Maria has also made it clear he does not intend to leave and has impressed Ancelotti with his attitude and work ethic since it became clear Real were going to sign Bale for a world-record transfer fee of 86million.

The 25-year-old Argentina winger impressed during the 1-0 win at Granada on Monday, when his run and cross helped to set up the winning goal for Karim Benzema. Di Maria is clearly determined to make it difficult for Ancelotti to drop him and the manager has since admitted he would not want to see him leave — although  Arsenal, Manchester City and PSG have all shown an interest.

'I understand the club are strengthening and they are precise in what they do,' Di Maria told newspaper AS. 'But I signed a contract until 2018 just a year ago and my desire is to stay in the Bernabeu.'

Focused on Real: Karim Benzema is another who will reject the chance to move to the Premier League

Focused on Real: Karim Benzema is another who will reject the chance to move to the Premier League

It is an emphatic pledge from both players. Benzema has also reacted to interest from Arsenal by insisting he will not leave Madrid.

The France striker has the advantage of being a favourite of president Florentino Perez and Zinedine Zidane, an assistant to Ancelotti and adviser to Perez, although it remains to be seen how the club will deal with a surplus of attacking options.

Bale will compete with Di Maria to play on the opposite flank to Cristiano Ronaldo — or with Isco and Ozil to play in the hole behind the centre forward.

Spoilt for choice: And Carlo Ancelotti expects to be joined by Gareth Bale (right)

Despite Di Maria's attitude, he does not have the marketing potential of the true Galacticos. Ozil's case was not helped when he stormed down the tunnel after being substituted by Ancelotti on Monday.

Ultimately it may depend on the pressure Real feel to raise more money from sales — in which case they may encourage the players to leave, as they did with Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben in 2009.

The comments below have not been moderated.

We are not signing anyone in this window apart from Flamini and Sanogo. Arsene ' s press conference will be like "we tried very hard but no one wanted to sell to us" . The man certainly need more help on the transfer front as whatever our "strategy" has been this summer , it has not worked.

You know what in the end they'll regret it because RM is a place that has many many talented players. And when Bale comes in they'll be pushed back 1 more spot. 11 players 3 already determined (gk, Ronaldo, Bale) and then you have the players who will definitely play. IDK, I don't see a good athmosphere for RM in terms of competition.

Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and van der Vaart did not want to leave Real Madrid. But when Real Madrid said time's up, they just had to pack up and shut up.

Went past the local Job centre today and saw an advert for footy players. Convinced it was Arsenal, as the wages wages were 40 quid a week + a 1 Quid win bonus and 20% of all emirates flights. Lots of people were enquiring but no takers as they were told there would be no benefits in taking the job

In the champs league, but can'ty attract anyone...........maybe try some other less ambitious targets Arsene..........

If players at a club started to talk about leaving a club just as soon as they hear of interest elsewhere we would be slating them for disloyalty but here the media slate Arsenal - its delirious and laughable. Have real madrid accepted a bid from Arsenal only for the player to turn round and refuse to go there? NO so how can these fools claim they are snubbing Arsenal. Dont buy into this drivel and poor sports journalism writing fillers in between a few hours nap? Please give us some real and original stories and dont jump off the bridge with the rest.

Di Maria doesnt have marketing potential? The writer is really wrong about Madrid fans, Bernabeu associates and the club. Di Mara had a very good first season. Beginning the second he started complaining in the press demanding a improve in the conctract and as soon as he got his level decreased too much for a club like Madrid, even Mourinho said. Now he played some great pre season games and the last week in Granada but the feeling is with the end of the transfer market he will start sleep again

No one knows what Arsenal is doing apart from Arsenal. I hope they actually sign someone.

What does Arsenal really needs at this critical stage? The answer would be a striker, a midfielder, a defender and a goalie. So why not after the following? Torres (20m) Cabayne (15m) Williams or M Richards (15m) Cesar (5m) That's it. We'll revisit Ozil, Di Maria, Mata n Benzema in the winter transfer window and may be after 6 months on the bench they will think otherwise.

The Q's is £€$ Does Real Madrid want you two or three to stay and fight for your places ?¿?

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