Arsene Wenger insists the future of Arsenal’s key players is not dependent on the club securing Champions League qualification this season.

The likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are out of contract at the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2018 and both players are yet to commit their long-term futures to the club.

Securing a top-four finish for the 21st successive season might be considered key to the Gunners keeping the talismanic duo, but Wenger is convinced missing out on a Champions League place will not have a huge impact.

Asked whether the lack of Champions League football would be an issue, Wenger said: “Maybe, it can impact if in a longer spell you are not in there.

But at the moment we are not in that mode. “Because we are in a strong financial position. The weight of a Champions League place is less big than it was in previous years.

Still for us it’s important because we want to play at the top level. Negotiations-wise (for players) it will not have a huge impact.”

Arsenal are currently sixth in the Premier League standings, six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, but they do have at least one game in hand on all of the sides above them in the table.

Wenger admits all his side can do between now and the end of the season is pick up maximum points and hope it is enough to secure a top-four finish.

The Frenchman added: “For us we just want to win our games to have a chance. That’s all we can do.”

The Gunners will face Southampton, Stoke, Sunderland and Everton in their remaining league games and they are priced at 5.00 to finish in the top four.