Thierry Henry has claimed that Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are the future of Arsenal Football Club.
The duo are nearing the final 18 months of their contracts at present, and despite talks having begun on an extension during last season, nothing is yet to be signed.
The pair have only enhanced their reputations further in over the past year, with Alexis Sanchez managing to excel further within a new role this term up front, and with the German filling in with more goals also.
Henry has now moved to insist that the club are aware of the importance of Sanchez and Ozil, and is hopeful that progress is being made on talks.
He said: “I think Arsene and the club are clever enough to know that they have to secure those deals.
“Are they both going to stay? I would want them to, but you don’t know what is happening behind closed doors.
“We all know how important Mesut Ozil is and we now know even more how important Alexis Sanchez is. Him playing in the middle has, for me, been the difference this year. What he can do is amazing, on and off the ball.
“You would like to think that maybe it has already been done and we don’t know about it. You would like them to stay. If you are an Arsenal fan you want them to stay because they are the future of the club.
“If you want to build a future, they are the future. You need to build a team around those guys.
“Mesut Ozil has been there for a little while, Alexis Sanchez arrived after, but when you have guys like that, then you have more chance to win things. Arsenal Football Club will always be there, but you want those guys around to win titles.
“Would it be a blow if they left? Yes, it would be a massive blow, but the club is not going to die if they leave. That said, they have to stay!”
How long would it take to replace Ozil and Sanchez? Do we believe the pair could really be unhappy enough with our offer to leave the club?
Pat J