Arsene Wagner asks Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil to lower wage demands as contract talks begin

Ozil is eyeing an offer of 200,000 pound-a-week instead of Arsenal's current offering of 140,000.

New Delhi: Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger has urged star forward Alexis Sanchez and midfielder Mesut Ozil to not increase their wage demands, and not let money decide their future. Wenger said that the star duo should reconsider their decision of higher wage demands that wealthier clubs would not shy away from matching.

Arsenal boss is also thinking of resting both the player of their the last champions league group stage match against Basel.

Both players' contracts are due to end next season, and as for now the club is willing to offer new deals to both. Wenger says "We are in negotiations, yes. The players are 18 months away from the end of their contracts, so it`s normal."

He further added, “I would like to say the luxury of the modern game should be that it`s not only about the money because the players make good money at this level anyway, wherever they play," Wenger was quoted as saying by Mirror.co.uk."

Wenger also added, "I believe, personally - maybe I am a bit naive - that it`s more about getting to meet the players` needs. That`s about the way the club has values, the way the club has ambition, the way the club respects the players. So I think, for me, that is more important nowadays and an important ingredient for every player to consider. The money is good everywhere for everybody."

As far as contract money is concerned, the German midfielder Mesut Ozil is the highest earning player of the club, earning around GBP 140,000 per week, which is just ahead of Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez, who scored terrific a hat-trick this weekend against West Ham.

If reports are to be believed, Ozil is in talks with the Gunners of a new contract worth whooping 200,000 pound-a-week.

(With ANI inputs)