Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez must sign new contracts if Arsenal have 'any' hope of trophies, says Rio Ferdinand

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Tom Doyle7 December 2016

Arsene Wenger must tie Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil down to new long-term contracts if Arsenal are to challenge for "any type of silvewrware", according to Rio Ferdinand.

Ozil and Sanchez have been in inspirational form for Arsenal this season, and the pair were on song once again on Tuesday night as the Gunners beat FC Basel 4-1 to secure top spot in Champions League Group A.

The forwards have 18 months left to run on their current contracts, and Standard Sport understands both are demanding a comparable figure to Paul Pogba's £290,000-a-week wages at Manchester United - the highest in English football.

James Olley reports that talks have reached something of an impasse – particularly with Sanchez – as Arsenal would have to shatter their current salary structure to accommodate their requests, but former United defender Ferdinand believes it is a risk worth taking if the Gunners are serious about titles.

Ferdinand told BT Sport: "Arsenal have to get these two signed up. There's contract talks, 18 months left on their contracts.

"If Arsenal are thinking about challenging for any type of silverware, they've got to sign them on."

Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard was full of praise for Ozil, saying: "I just love his unselfishness and his awareness.

"He's putting [the ball] across the six-yard box for people to tap in. He's the type of player you just love to play with."

However, Ferdinand doubts that Arsenal have the required quality to win the competition.

When pressed on Arsenal's chances of lifting the trophy at Milennium Stadium next May, Ferdinand responded: "Not for me.

"I think this is great for them in terms of getting the confidence and for the fringe players coming in and doing a job and staking a claim.

"But I just there's too much quality elsehwhere in this competition for them to compete."

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