Arsene Wenger: Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil will stay at Arsenal 'no matter what'

Arsenal’s two star players are attracting torrents of transfer stories with contract negotiations for both players reportedly stalling over their wage demands.

The Telegraph said on Thursday morning that the pair are both seeking £20m a year, which works out at £384,000-per week. Furthermore, the paper said Arsenal would not be able to afford both players and that “any big offers for Ozil would be looked at if he does not sign an extension.”

Sanchez has reportedly been offered £400,000 per week by a club in China as well as being linked with a move to Chelsea but speaking ahead of the weekend’s game against Stoke City, Wenger said both players will be staying at the club.

Asked if Arsenal were willing to listen to offers for Ozil, Wenger replied: "No, these players have 18-month contracts and no matter what happens they stay for that.

“Beyond that we will try to extend their contract. But I can’t make a subject of that in every press conference. The less you talk about it the better it is.”

Wenger also said he did not fear losing Sanchez, who has scored 13 goals and claimed six assists in all competitions, to a Chinese club, even if he has no problem accepting such a huge offer may have been made to his player.

“I believe it yes, why not?” Wenger said. “But why should you go to China today when you play in England?”

Both star players are on course to have their best seasons in Arsenal shirts and their blossoming partnership has propelled Arsenal into title contention in the Premier League and through to the last-16 of the Champions League as group winners.

Key to their understanding has been Wenger's decision to play Sanchez as a false nine this season, seeing him link up with chief assister Ozil in central areas.

Sanchez has revitalised the Arsenal attack, but his tendency to drop off the front has also given Ozil more free rein in attack, with the German scoring eight goals and claiming five assists in all competitions.

This is the best partnership Arsenal have had since Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp helped Arsenal go unbeaten in 2003-04 - to lose either part of it would be a huge setback for the club.

It is hard to see what else the Arsenal manger could have said. To acknowledge publicly that Arsenal cannot afford to keep both players would have been ridiculous.

But if he is correct, then Arsenal will risk losing their two best players for nothing in just a year and a half - which would be financially foolish.

If Ozil and Sanchez are still not budging in their demands by August, and Arsenal cannot afford both contracts, then surely one will leave.