The Gunners star duo have just 18 months left on their current deals in North London.
Arsenal manager Arsenal Wenger has insisted both Alexis Sánchez and Mesut Özil will not be sold, even if the duo do not extend their contracts in North London.
The Gunners boss told reporters ahead of Saturday’s game with Stoke City, (via SkySports) the pair would stay ‘no matter what happens’ but that hopefully both would sign on.
Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil celebrates scoring their first goal with Alexis Sanchez as West Ham United’s Winston Reid looks dejected
Both Sanchez and Ozil have been in scintillating form this season for the North Londoners, but having won just an FA Cup double since 2005, fears remain both could leave if Arsenal fail to add to silverware this term
Wenger it seems is confident his star men will extend their current deals, but states that if they do not, the club will not sell their star assets at any price.
The Gunners boss told reporters: “No matter what happens they will stay for 18 months and hopefully for much longer.”
When quizzed on whether there had been any movement on the German and Chilean’s contractual situations, Wenger also added, “You ask always the same things, but that doesn’t improve the speed of negotiations.”
“You have to respect the process – sometimes it’s quick, sometimes slow and the only handicap when it’s slow is you get asked in every press conference.”
Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring their second goal
Since Alexis Sanchez made the £35m switch from Barcelona after the 2014 World Cup, as reported by BBCSport the 27 year-old has scored 55 goals in 114 appearances for the club – including a hat-trick versus West Ham United last weekend.
Naturally a winger, Sanchez has now been converted into Arsene Wenger’s number one striker – as he has been for his country – and has flourished, scoring 11 goals in 14 games in the Premier League alone.
Mesut Ozil has found his goal-scoring touch also this term, having primarily been Arsenal’s creator-in-chief during the past two seasons.
Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil celebrates scoring their fifth goal
The former Real Madrid man have scored 8 times in all competitions this campaign, with just 5 assist following on from his 19 last term in North London.
The duo have pair instrumental in Arsenal finishing top of their UEFA Champions League group and have kept the Gunners firmly in touch at the top of the domestic standings, just three points off leaders Chelsea.
Fears remain as to the long-term futures of the both Sanchez and Ozil at the club, but Arsene Wenger believes the pair remain fully committed to the cause.
“We are professionals”, Wenger told reporters. 18 months is a long time in the game and I don’t believe that is a problem.”
The Frenchman finishes, “It’s normal to negotiate. The less you talk about it the better it is.”
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