The former striker also claimed that the pair would only deserve weekly salaries of £300,000 if they scored a hat-trick in every game.

Both Sanchez and Özil are in the final 18 months of their current deals and both are demanding significant pay increases before recommitting.

Sanchez has stressed that the agreement of new terms “depends on Arsenal”, while Özil is yet to put pen to paper despite months of negotiations.

Speaking after Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, in which both players put in underwhelming displays, Henry argued that the pair’s salary demands are unrealistic.

“Those two players are vital for the future of the club, they have to secure that deal,” he told Sky Sports. “But to what extent?”

Arsenal transfer targets Show all 7 1 /7 Arsenal transfer targets Arsenal transfer targets Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund) Arsenal were reportedly interested in signing the Gabonese striker in the summer and may return with an offer to Dortmund at the end of the season. Aubameyang has been in scintillating form this season, scoring 15 goals in 15 games in all competitions. Getty Arsenal transfer targets Paul-Georges Ntep (Rennes) The left-midfielder’s deal at Rennes expires at the end of the season and so he will be free to sign a pre-contract in January. A strong dribbler of the ball, Ntep has been made two appearances for France. Getty Arsenal transfer targets Reece Oxford (West Ham) After Oxford became West Ham’s youngest ever player to appear in the Premier League at just 16 years old (his debut came against the Gunners), he immediately attracted interest from some of England’s big clubs, including Arsenal. However he is reportedly set to sign a new five-year deal. Getty Arsenal transfer targets Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid) The 21-year-old Uruguayan has already played 21 times for his country and has been touted as a future world-class centre-back. Currently on the books of Atletico Madrid, Gimenez is not a regular and a move in January would surely appeal to him. Getty Arsenal transfer targets Peter Gwargis - Husqvarna “Who?” you may ask. The Swedish midfielder is just 16 years old and has been compared to current Arsenal attacker Mesut Özil after he started training with the Husqvarna first team in his home country. The Gunners face competition from PSV for his signature according to the player’s representative. Getty Arsenal transfer targets Stefan de Vrij (Lazio) The Netherlands defender is contracted to Lazio until 2019 but has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Arsenal. De Vrij, who used to play for Feyenoord in his home country, has been in good form this season as Lazio sit fourth in Serie A. Getty Arsenal transfer targets Chris Smalling (Manchester United) After Jose Mourinho’s strong public criticism of the England defender, other Premier League clubs have been put on alert if Smalling decides he wants to leave the Manchester club. Getty

“I don't know if Arsène is going to want to pay those numbers. But if they don't sign, who are you going to bring after that? What's the future?

“At the moment they are holding the club hostage. They are amazing but if they are on that amount of money, I want a hat-trick every week - and also when there's no game!

“You need to be in a situation where you've won something already for the club to ask for that amount of money.”



Özil has won two FA Cups with Arsenal since joining from Real Madrid for £42.5m in 2013. Sanchez, who arrived at the Emirates a year later, was only present for the club’s 2015 triumph.

Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, has repeatedly stressed that he is confident both players will commit their future to the club.

On Friday, Wenger insisted he had “no concern” over the pair’s contractual situations.

“You waste your time because these players have 18 months [left on their] contract and I don’t see why there is any urgency in every press conference to have that question,” he said.