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

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed he could start striker Alexis Sanchez when his outfit meets FC Basel in the UEFA Champions League in Switzerland on Tuesday. The Gunners have a slim chance of clinching top spot in Group A—but only if they beat Basel while leaders Paris Saint-Germain fail to beat winless Ludogorets at home. 

The unlikelihood of gaining first place might prompt Wenger to rest some of his star players, particularly leading scorer Sanchez. But the Arsenal manager has indicated the prolific Chilean could still start, according to Liam Prenderville of the Daily Mirror: "Best way when a guy is in a good success and a good confidence, it is more dangerous to stop him than keep him going. I haven’t decided on my team yet, I’ve 24 more hours, but my main priority is to win the game."

Sanchez is in red-hot form at the moment. He's scored 13 goals already, per WhoScored.com, including a hat-trick in the recent 5-1 away win over West Ham United in the Premier League.

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It might be tempting to rest Sanchez with a win in Basel unlikely to alter the final makeup of the group—specially with four more Premier League games to come in December, including a trip to Manchester City.

Wenger did reveal how natural centre-forward Olivier Giroud is back and available, per the club's official site, so he has options to help give Sanchez a rest:

Yet Sanchez is Arsenal's main man and definitely a player Wenger needs to keep if the Gunners are going to credibly compete for major trophies. However, the forward's future is in doubt, along with playmaker Mesut Ozil.

Both players need new deals, and Wenger revealed negotiations are ongoing, per Prenderville: "I would like to say the luxury in the modern game should be it is not only about the money. The players make good money anyway. You negotiate more with the agents than the player so we are in negotiations, of course it is normal."

The manager hasn't revealed much, but his apparent confidence over the future of his two best players will be encouraging for Arsenal fans.

Earlier reports were not so encouraging, with James Olley of the London Evening Standard indicating negotiations had reached a stumbling block. He referenced Ozil and Sanchez's collective desire to earn wages on par with the Premier League's top earner, Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.

Wenger will know Arsenal cannot win the Champions League, neither this season nor in the future, without marquee talents such as Sanchez and Ozil.

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Progressing in the tournament this season could well hinge on winning Group A. Wenger believes it could still happen, despite PSG's obvious advantage: "I believe we want to win the game and do our job and continue to win the games we play. You never know what is happening in Paris."

Arsenal know better than most teams the cost of finishing second. It usually means a tougher draw in the last 16, a stage the Gunners haven't advanced beyond since the 2009/10 season.

However, Wenger doesn't believe his side needs to be afraid about the draw even if they are runners-up, according to Mark Mann-Bryans of Press Association Sport:

Wenger may be bullish about Arsenal's chances of finally going beyond the last 16, but there's no doubt his team's job will be harder if they finish second. The Gunners could be drawn against one of the tournament's heavyweights, including last season's conquerors, Barcelona.

Ultimately, Arsenal must make sure they win in Basel and hope Ludogorets can pull off a minor miracle in Paris. It may mean Wenger picking his best side and risking the fitness of Sanchez and Ozil.