Arsene Wenger right to feel relaxed about new contracts for Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil
News broke on Wednesday, courtesy of Daily Mirror’s John Cross, that Arsenal were set to announce a new contract extension for superstar Alexis Sanchez, and a deal keeping Mesut Özil in north London was next.  Cross stated that the Chile international was about to receive a pay raise that would […]

News broke on Wednesday, courtesy of Daily Mirror’s John Cross, that Arsenal were set to announce a new contract extension for superstar Alexis Sanchez, and a deal keeping Mesut Özil in north London was next.  Cross stated that the Chile international was about to receive a pay raise that would see his weekly salary reach £150,000, an upgrade on his current £130,000-a-week wages.

Along with Alexis, the report also suggested that Germany international Özil would also see a bit of a jump in pay with his extension.  With the midfielder firmly in the running for PFA Player of the Year at this juncture, no one would bat an eye at the midfield maestro being rewarded with a fresh contract.  However, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger revealed on Thursday that this report was off the mark.

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In his customary weekly press conference, Wenger was asked about his dynamic duo receiving a new contract.  “We have not started to talk about [a new contract] with Mesut,” proclaimed the manager.  Wenger also said, “We are in the same situation [with Alexis].  At the end of the year they have two-and-a-half years left on their contract so we still have some time.  We are not in a hurry.  Of course we want them to stay here at the club and we will start the negotiations at some stage.  At the moment we have not started [negotiations].

Wenger, however, eased Arsenal supporters by claiming that these negotiations will take place in the near future.  “From the New Year to the summer we will certainly start it with all the players who have two years to go at the end of the season,” claimed the manager.

While surely everyone associated with the Gunners, from the fans all the way up to management, is keen on both Alexis and Özil remaining with the club for as long as possible, there should be no rush in regards to contract extensions.  As Wenger stated, their current contracts do not expire until June 2018.  This gives the Gunners brass plenty of time to hash out any details related to re-signing arguably the two most talented players in the squad.

In addition to the two-and-a-half years left on both of their current deals, the pair have recently declared that they are delighted with the club.  Amid rumors of Manchester United or Real Madrid lusting after Alexis, the Chilean stated, “I’m very happy at Arsenal, I don’t think about leaving.  I always want to be the best at everything I do.  I’m never happy with what I do, I always want to give more.”

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In Özil’s case, the German claimed back in March that he wishes to remain with the Gunners for the foreseeable future.  “A return to Germany is not an option for me right now,” Özil told Express.  “I am really happy at Arsenal and I want this to continue.  I played in the Bundesliga and at Real Madrid, but the English Premier League is the strongest league in the world.  Opponents never give up.”

With both Alexis and Özil happy with life in north London and still plenty of time remaining on their current contracts, Wenger is doing and saying all of the right things pertaining to his superstar tandem at the moment.  Arsenal fans could possibly see both players re-signing with the club come next summer.