Arsenal won't leave Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez early at any cost: Arsene Wenger

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has very clearly said that the club lynchpins Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez will not be allowed to leave before their contract ends in 18 months.

Reportedly, the duo wanted new deals that will put at par with Premier League's highest earners, but Wenger has vowed that neither of the two would be allowed to exit before the next one and a half year.

"These players will stay here for at least 18 months. I cannot repeat always the same things," Wenger told his weekly press conference at Arsenal`s London Colney training base.

"I think at some stage you have to accept that negotiations are private and secret and we do not always have to come out every day to explain what we do in football negotiations.

"We are professional people. We work until the last day of our contracts with full commitment.

"These players have 18 months on their contracts and, no matter what happens, they will stay for 18 months. Hopefully they`ll stay for longer than that."

Sanchez, 27, and Ozil, 28, have been in sparkling form of late as Arsenal have climbed to second place in the league table and secured a place in the Champions League last 16 as group winners.

Wenger suggested he would sooner let Sanchez and Ozil leave for free in 2018 than sanction moves for them.

He was, however, unable to offer fans any guarantees the duo will sign new contracts with the club.

When asked what assurances he could give supporters, the Frenchman replied: "None.

"They have 18 months left on their contract and they are completely committed to do well as long as they are here.

"Beyond that, we`ll try to extend their contracts, but I cannot make that the subject in every press conference because it`s a normal part of every renewal when you renegotiate.

"The less you talk about it, the better it is."