Lack of laurels reason for delay in Arsenal’s deal, says Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez says he will discuss his Arsenal future with Arsene Wenger at the end of the season, but is frustrated he has not been able to win the big titles he feels can make a player become truly great.

The Chile international is out of contract in 2018 and has been the subject of intense speculation throughout the campaign, with the Gunners struggling to secure a top-four Premier League finish, the FA Cup final representing their only chance of silverware.

Sanchez has impressed individually this season, scoring 24 goals in all competitions, but he insists it is the chance to win league titles and the Champions League that drives him, which will play a part when he thinks about his next move after 2016-17.

Asked if there was any news on his future following optimistic comments from Wenger, Sanchez told Sky Sports: “No, we have said that the two of us will sit down together to discuss the topic in terms of what will happen and what we are going to do, what is best for the club, what is best for me, what is best for him.

“We will speak once the season is over because if I speak now, that would take my focus away from what I want, which is qualifying for the Champions League and winning the FA Cup.

“It depends. What I want to do now is to finish the season well and then I will sit down with the club to decide what I’m going to do.

“I’m very happy about [my goal tally], but, as always, I demand more from myself. I think that if a player wants to be at the very top, he needs to win the Champions League and league titles. That’s what makes the great players truly great.

“I don’t think it has been a very good season for me because I came here to win trophies, to be competing in the Champions League semi-finals and to win the Premier League.”