Arsene Wenger and Per Mertesacker confident Alexis Sanchez WILL stay at Arsenal, despite Champions League hope

Arsene Wenger and Per Mertesacker are confident Alexis Sanchez will remain at Arsenal, despite the clear signal sent out by the Chile international that wanted to play in the Champions League. 

Sanchez has just one year remaining at the Emirates but with the clock running down on his time in north London, Wenger remains cool on the future of the club’s best player, according to the Daily Mail. 

Mertesacker shares Wenger’s confidence that Sanchez will be a Gunner next season and beyond, the German defender told talkSPORT: “He needs a break now. He needs to relax.

"He’s done a lot for us in the last season, he played almost every single game and played the Confederations Cup.

"You need to leave him alone to make up his mind what he wants to do.

"He’s got one more year here and then he makes his mind up… but it’s his decision.

"My feeling is that he feels good and comfortable here. He can play with freedom with us, he has his qualities.

"We’ve embraced him, everyone has embraced him at the club, so I am confident."

Sanchez appeared to have made clear his future lay away from north London while he takes a break after Confederations Cup duty. 

He told a radio station in Chile: "The decision isn't only mine, but I have already made a decision. Now I'm waiting for Arsenal to reply and tell me what they want.

"Playing in the Champions League and to win it. It's a dream I have had since I was a kid.

"For now I'm at Arsenal, my contract ends next year.”