Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has urged Arsene Wenger to tie down Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to new contracts and "build a team" around the influential pair.

Both players, who have 18 months left on their current deals, have been in talks with the club over extensions for a number of weeks.

Widespread speculation has claimed that both are demanding a significant hike in wages before putting pen to paper, and due to the ongoing saga, rumours about their futures have intensified.

"I think Arsene and the club are clever enough to know that they have to secure those deals," Henry told Sky Sports News. "Are they both going to stay? I would want them to, but you don't know what is happening behind closed doors.

"We all know how important Mesut Ozil is and we now know even more how important Alexis Sanchez is. Him playing in the middle has, for me, been the difference this year. What he can do is amazing, on and off the ball.

"You would like to think that maybe it has already been done and we don't know about it. You would like them to stay. If you are an Arsenal fan you want them to stay because they are the future of the club. If you want to build a future, they are the future. You need to build a team around those guys."

Ozil has scored nine goals and produced five assists in all competitions this season, while Sanchez has netted 13 times.