Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez poised to commit long-term futures with contract extensions

The Gunners want star duo who have two seasons left on their deals to stay for five years and feel the signs are positive that both will put pen to paper.

Arsenal are close to agreements on new contracts for Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.

Germany playmaker Ozil and Chile forward Sanchez both have two years left on their current deals with the Gunners.

Talks were opened in May about extensions to keep the pair at the Emirates for the next five years.

Negotiations were then put on hold because the duo were on international duty during the summer.

Sanchez helped Chile retain their Copa America crown, while Ozil was in the German squad that reached the semi-finals of the European Championship, where they lost to France.

The North London club now hope to secure the long-term futures of the pair in the near future.

Ozil, 27, has been lifted by the signing of compatriot and Germany team-mate Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia.

The two are close friends and defender Mustafi’s arrival could be a factor in Ozil deciding to add three more years to his present contract.

Sanchez, also 27, was a summer target for Italian champions Juventus, but he made it clear he wanted to stay put.

That has given Arsenal optimism that Sanchez – like Ozil – will remain at the club.