Wenger hopeful on Sanchez and Ozil

Arsene Wenger is confident Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil will still be at Arsenal next season.

Both players are under contract until the summer of 2018 but negotiations over new deals have stalled amid reports that they are looking for a significant pay rise before agreeing to remain at the Emirates.

Speaking to the Chilean media during the international break, Sanchez said he wanted to stay in London and play for a team with a winning mentality.

While he has been linked with London rivals Chelsea, Wenger believes the 28-year-old was expressing a desire to remain at Arsenal.

"There is only one team in London so he is happy," Wenger told reporters on Thursday.

"The interpretation is not always what they want to say, I have not a lot to add. I think personally he is happy here, [but] it is true we have not extended his contract yet.

"I hope that he will stay at the club but overall we have to be very cautious when people give interviews in their own countries because the interpretation is not always exactly what they wanted to say.

"I don't see anything negative in that. He wants to win the championship and that is what everybody wants. I can understand that completely."

Despite previously selling big-name players to rival Premier League clubs, Wenger has made it clear Arsenal will not allow Sanchez to join another club in England.

"It is true that it happened before when we were in a position financially where we had to sell our best players, but that is not the case anymore," he explained.

"He has one-and-a-half years [left on his] contract so I don't think that it is an immediate concern for Arsenal football club."

Ozil's contract is also due to expire at the end of next season but Wenger is confident he wants to remain at the club.

"I think once you go in the final two or three months of the season everybody is more focused on the end of the season," added Wenger.

"You give yourself more time in a more relaxed atmosphere between the two seasons. They are not out of contract at the end of this season.

"I personally believe both of them want to say and I hope the club will find an agreement with them." 

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