Superstars Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are both entering the final year of their respective deals at Arsenal and there is understandably a sense of worry among the supporters about the two players’ long term future at the Emirates, as the club hierarchy seem to be reluctant on matching the duo’s wage demands.

Now Arsenal chief Sir Chips Keswick has provided an update to the contractual situation regarding both Sanchez and Ozil, and has indirectly stated that the club will not be held ransom by extortionate salary requests from any player no matter how important.

Sir Chips said, "We have continued to invest in the region of key players. Francis Coquelin, Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud have all signed new contracts, while we have taken up options to extend the contracts of Per Mertesacker and Santi Cazorla.

"Further work is required in the area of contract renewals and we will continue to invest rationally in our squad retention. As expected, increased Premier League broadcasting revenues have had a direct impact on player costs both in terms of transfer prices and player wage demands.

"While these are market forces that have contributed directly over time to the success of the Premier League, I would sound a note of caution in light of the very material contractual commitments to future wages that clubs are taking on."

Arsenal make profits despite huge spending

Arsenal have recorded a healthy £12.6million pre-tax profit for the 2016 financial year despite splashing close to £86million in the purchase of new players, after enjoying a turnover of £191.1million over the last six months.

The increase in turnover is largely down to Premier League's record-breaking £8billion TV deal - which accounted for 45 per cent of the revenue for Arsenal. During the same period last year, Arsenal had suffered a loss of around £6.2million and it is encouraging to see the Gunners making progress financially.

Ozil the second most influential player in China

While Mesut Ozil’s influence on the pitch for Arsenal may have waned in recent weeks, it has been revealed that the German international remains one of the most popular players in the Asian nation of China.

China is an emerging market in football and reports from Red Card have revealed that Ozil is the second most influential player in social media platforms in the Far East, only behind Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. In terms of club influence, Arsenal sit third behind Manchester United and Bayern Munich.