Per Mertesacker says that the club cannot lose any players they don’t want to this summer, and that Alexis Sanchez will definitely be at the club next season.

The captain knows that there’s intense pressure on the Gunners to mount a serious title challenge, and that it’s much more likely if the 30 goal Chilean remains in North London for the upcoming campaign.

He also sounded confident that Sanchez would be lining up alongside him when he returns from his summer holidays later this month.

“Yes, definitely,” he said when he was asked if the former Barcelona man would be at Arsenal next season

“We have a strong squad and we do not want to lose any players. Even in their final contract year we need them. We cannot afford to lose them. If you’re talking about championships, to keep our best player is key.

“I think he was impressive in the Confederations Cup, he’s now on holiday, so it’s quiet in terms of conversations.

“But he’s a warrior on the pitch. I think he wants to come back as quickly as possible – he hates holidays, he hates to calm down.

“I’m looking forward to playing alongside him in my last season and he thinks the same.”

Let’s hope he’s right, and maybe over the course of the next 12 months he can be convinced to stay longer.