Arsene Wenger: 'Vital that Alexis Sanchez stays at Arsenal'

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has acknowledged that keeping star forward Alexis Sanchez at the Emirates Stadium for the long term is "important" to any hopes his side have of prolonged success.

The 27-year-old, who scored another couple of goals against Bournemouth on Sunday to take his tally to 10 in all competitions this term, has been locked in talks over a new deal with the Gunners since the end of last season.

Recent reports suggested that Sanchez was exploring all his options due to a failure to reach an agreement over wages, but Wenger insists that he is in no particular rush to agree terms with two years still left to run on the Chile international's current deal.

"It is important," he told reporters. "How important it is, I don't know. We will not sort it tonight. We have some time in front of us. [The media] like us to spend money, so you should be happy!"

Sanchez will reportedly be offered a two-week break over the coming month to avoid fatigue, having suffered from burnout in the past due to his lack of a summer break since 2013.