Chris Sutton: Arsenal must follow Tottenham with these two players
By Harvey Byrne
Chris Sutton has called for Arsenal to follow Tottenham in handing new contracts to their star players.
Current key duo Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have just 18 months left on their deals with no developments regarding a new deal as of yet.
Meanwhile, north London rivals Spurs have tied up a number of their best players to new long-term deals in the past year, including Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Hugo Lloris.
Now, former Premier League striker Sutton has spoken of how the Gunners should make a “statement of intent” like Tottenham did with both Ozil and Sanchez.
“I cannot believe it is about money. Wenger would not be so stupid not to give two such key players what they want, within reason,” wrote Sutton for the BBC Sport website.
“Unless their demands are absolutely astronomical then Arsenal have to make a statement of intent – the same way Spurs did with England duo Harry Kane and Dele Alli earlier in the season.
“It is a few years since many of Arsenal’s best players were allowed to leave the club, but they have to tie down Sanchez and Ozil otherwise they have enormous problems.
“Unless both players sign up, Arsenal will be perceived as lacking ambition as well as being serial underachievers in terms of mounting a title challenge.”
The two north London clubs can’t be separated in the league with the pair sat on 47 points after 23 fixtures.
They will play each other again on 29 April at White Hart Lane following a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium in November.
Arsenal supporters will be sure to agree with the comments from Sutton as they are also eager for the club to keep hold of their best.
The two players have contributed 26 goals towards the Arsenal team this season alongside 24 assists and have been integral to the Gunners’ success this campaign.
In other Tottenham news, Mark Lawrenson has predicted Spurs’ Saturday clash against Middlesbrough.
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