Arsene Wenger says neither Mesut Ozil nor Alexis Sanchez will be sold by Arsenal, even if they fail to agree contract extensions.
Both Gunners superstars – with 21 goals between them this season – are entering the final 18 months of their deals and Wenger remains hopeful of keeping both beyond 2018.
The Arsenal boss offered “no assurances” to supporters but, speaking ahead of Saturday’s game against Stoke, he made it clear he is prepared to lose both for nothing.
“No matter what happens they will stay for 18 months and hopefully for much longer,” he said.
Wenger did not not rule out the possibility Sanchez has a huge offer from China on the table but said: “Why should you go to China today when you play in England?”
Repeated enquiries about the pair were dealt with politely, but the Frenchman insisted he “could not answer always the same questions at every press conference”.