Arsene Wenger has insisted that Arsenal will not sell Mesut Ozil nor Alexis Sanchez even if they do not sign new contracts.
There has been speculation over the futures of both players as their current contracts expire in 2018 and they are yet to agree new deals at the Emirates Stadium.
The Telegraph reported on Thursday that Arsenal could reluctantly agree to sell Ozil if he does not lower his wage demands.
Sanchez is also said to be demanding a big-money deal in order to stay, with the Daily Mirror claiming Chelsea and clubs in China are interested in signing the Chile forward.
However, speaking at a press conference on Thursday morning, Arsenal manager Wenger said the club have no intention of selling either player – even if it means risking losing them on Bosman free transfers when their contracts expire.
“No matter what happens they will stay for 18 months and hopefully for much longer,” Wenger said.
Meanwhile, Wenger is hoping that right-back Hector Bellerin will return to the Gunners squad for this weekend’s game against Stoke City.
Bellerin, sidelined since last month’s north London derby against Tottenham, is back in training and will have a fitness test ahead of Saturday’s match.