Arsenal seemingly clarify futures of Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud as they launch new third kit

The pair have been linked with moves away from the Emirates this summer

Arsenal have seemingly confirmed that the futures of forwards Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud when launching their new third kit for the forthcoming season.

The pair were pictured modelling the new black and purple strip, alongside Theo Walcott, suggesting that they will also be seen wearing the kit throughout next season.

Sanchez has less than a year remaining on his current deal with Manchester City interested in signing him, but Wenger reaffirmed his intention to stand firm and not sell him to a Premier League rival.

When asked on Tuesday if Sanchez had asked to leave, though, Arsene Wenger replied: “No.”

He added: “The players have contracts and we expect them to respect them - that’s what we want.

“That is a continuation of what I said at the end of last season, that you wouldn’t sell him to another Premier League club.”

The Independent revealed on Monday that while the 28-year-old wanted to reunite with his former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, he was now resigned to Wenger digging his heels in and therefore preparing for a final season at the Emirates before leaving on a free next summer.

It is understood that only a bid of more than £90m would be enough for the club to even consider selling the Chilean to a rival.

Giroud is another who has been linked with a move away, either back to France or to money-spending Everton, as he seeks first-team football to make certain of his place in in Didier Deschamps’ World Cup squad.

But Wenger made his position on Giroud equally as clear as the club touched down in Sydney for the start of their preseason tour.

“We extended his (Giroud’s) contract last year. Our resolution is clear. He’s been great value to the squad and I think he is a great lover of the club. He’s always been very determined to stay.

“It’s always the same problem - when you have one striker people ask ‘why don’t buy another?’ and when you have two or three they say they will be unhappy because there is too much competition. That’s part of the job.”

And having the pair central to the club’s kit launch suggests that they could well be central to the manager’s plans this season.