Arsenal vs. Ludogorets: Arsene Wenger's Key Pre-Match Press Conference Quotes

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed contract negotiations with star players are difficult because of their demands, amid reports the Gunners are trying to tie down Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez to new deals.  

Per the Mirror's Hamish Mackay, he said: "It was always difficult. What has changed is the numbers but it was always difficult to keep the good players because they are wanted by other clubs. Players want to get the maximum as they only have 10 years playing at the top level."

According to the Evening Standard's James Benge, the Gunners have been in talks with Ozil and Sanchez "for several months" as they look to secure their long-term futures at the Emirates Stadium—the duo have less than two years remaining on their respective contracts.

Ahead of their UEFA Champions League match with Ludogorets on Wednesday, the Frenchman also opened up about two of his players, Granit Xhaka and Theo Walcott.

Per Goal's Chris Wheatley, Wenger defended Xhaka following his red card against Swansea City on Saturday, which left the Gunners under some late pressure:

The midfielder's foul was a cynical trip on Modou Barrow to prevent the Swans from launching a counter-attack, but many felt the challenge warranted a booking rather than a sending off.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Xhaka has been sent off five times for club and country since the start of last season, so while his addition to the Arsenal squad has largely been positive, his discipline is an issue.

Meanwhile, Walcott has been in outstanding form this season and netted twice in the 3-2 win, taking his tally for the season to seven goals in all competitions.

Per Arsenal, Wenger is pleased with the forward's form and reflected on his resurgence after a disappointing spell:

The Englishman needs to be able to sustain his form for the majority of the campaign, but he's certainly enjoyed an excellent start—he only needs two more goals to equal last year's tally.

According to James Olley of the Evening Standard, Wenger also relayed the latest team news and provided updates on Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud:

Even without the pair, the Gunners should have little trouble getting past Ludogorets. Arsenal then play Middlesbrough and Sunderland in the Premier League either side of Reading in the EFL Cup before playing the Bulgarian side once again.

Wenger believes his players cannot afford to approach the matches with complacency, however, per Mackay: "The fixtures are only as kind as you play. What look sometimes very easy can be difficult if you don’t prepare mentally."

Indeed, while the next five games represent an outstanding opportunity for Arsenal to keep going strong on multiple fronts, in the past these are the kinds of fixtures they would often slip up in due to mental fragility.

If they can carry on their winning run, it will go some way to showing their improvement in that regard.

Further, it will set them up nicely for a very tricky run in November, in which they'll face Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in successive matches.