The big question at Arsenal this season has been not whether the Gunners will be able to challenge for the title, but whether Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil will stay if they don’t.
Arsene Wenger’s men are eight points behind league-leaders Chelsea, prompting uncertainty about the futures of their star men.
Both players are yet to sign new contracts and have just 18 months left on their current deals.
While the Ozil situation is slightly more under the radar, persistent questions have been raised about whether Sanchez is happy at the Emirates, particularly after his extreme reaction to being substituted during the 4-0 win over Swansea.
It’s not the first time the Chilean has kicked off this season, throwing his gloves to the floor at the final whistle of the 3-3 draw with Bournemouth earlier this month.
Yet, some Gunners fans will no doubt see this as evidence of a winning mentality.
And while there is continued talk of wages, team-mate Petr Cech insists that in order to keep Sanchez and Ozil, Arsenal simply have to show they’re serious about winning trophies.
“I think for us it is important to show them how much we need them in the team and to show them how much we want to win,” Cech told the London Evening Standard.
“Then obviously it will make their decision easier. If they see that we are competitive, everybody is ready to win things together and they know how important they are for our team, then this will make their decision easier.”
Arsenal are evidently working behind the scenes to tie their players down, with Laurent Koscielny, Olivier Giroud and Francis Coquelin all signing recent extensions.
However, it’s Sanchez and Ozil who will be the true tests of their ambition.
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