Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger strongly believes that Chilean international Alexis Sanchez will pledge his loyalty to the club by renewing his contract at the Emirates.

Sanchez has been in scintillating form this campaign, having already racked up 24 goals and assisting a further 18 from 43 appearances in all competitions so far this season.

He also played a vital role in helping Arsenal’s fight for a top-four finish in the Premier League, with the North London side currently placed seventh with 57 points. They have won 17 of 31 matches played.

The 67-year-old says he is confident that Sanchez will continue his future with the club, despite rumours of him parting ways with the club at the end of the 2016-17 season.

‘I personally think he will sign and stay here. First of all, he is happy here. His desire is as well to stay. That is what I deeply believe. The disagreements are more purely contractual. Not on the desire. Both parties have the desire to find an agreement, so I think it will happen,’ Wenger told the Arsenal website.

‘I don’t think that you would sell him to any Premier League club, that is for sure. Because you want to be as strong as you can be, and not strengthen the other teams.

‘But I just told you that I think Alexis will stay here and sign a contract. You are in your job [in the media] where you are always painting the most dreadful situation. But we are not necessarily in that situation.’

Wenger also revealed that German midfielder Mesut Ozil will join Sanchez in committing their future to the Gunners at the end of the season.

‘It will be similar. It will all be decided in the summer,’ he added.

Arsenal will now welcome Leicester City to the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Wednesday with kick-off at 20:45.