Ranking the 5 Arsenal Players Fans Would Love to See Extend Their Contract

Last week, the French trio of Laurent Koscielny, Francis Coquelin and Olivier Giroud all signed contract extensions with Arsenal.

With the club unlikely to be in the market for new additions during the transfer window, manager Arsene Wenger is instead focusing his energies on securing new deals for the talent he has already amassed at the club.

So, who would the Arsenal fans like to see commit themselves to the club next? There are a couple of obvious names to mention, but in this piece, we will also look beyond Arsenal's marquee men to see who else Gunners supporters would want to see put pen to paper.

The players are ranked according to how much of a priority their negotiations ought to be. With Koscielny, Coquelin and Giroud already signed up, these are the men the red side of north London are hoping will be next.

5. Jack Wilshere

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This might be a surprising inclusion. Jack Wilshere made just two substitute appearances for Arsenal this season before joining Bournemouth on loan, citing a desire to play regular football as key to his decision.

His choice has been vindicated in the intervening months, as he has remained injury-free for the first time in years, establishing himself as an integral part of an impressive Bournemouth outfit.

Wilshere has 18 months left on his current deal, but Wenger has already admitted he intends to offer the player an extension, per BBC Sport: "We have to plan that around the new year."

He's right to do so, whatever his ultimate plans for Wilshere. If he intends to reintroduce him to the fold at Arsenal, he will want to have him under a long contract. Alternatively, if the Gunners boss is considering allowing him to leave the club permanently, he should get a new deal signed to protect his investment and ensure Arsenal receive the biggest possible fee.

Arsenal have nurtured Wilshere's talent for more than a decade—losing him on the cheap because he has just 12 months to run would be infuriating.

However, Arsenal supporters surely want to see a homegrown talent like Wilshere granted a final opportunity to make the grade at the club where he's been developed. If he is to do so, a new contract is essential.

4. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another of Arsenal’s much-vaunted "British core" who hasn't quite delivered on the early promise he showed.

Like Wilshere, he has 18 months to run on his current deal. He faces a critical decision about his future, having spoken frankly to Sky Sports' Goals on Sunday earlier this season about his desire for more regular football:

"

I would be lying to say it hasn't crossed my mind that I need more game time. As a footballer you want to play every game, and I'm not happy when I'm not playing, as is everyone on the bench.

There is going to come a time in my career, and I think I'm approaching it, when I do need to get more regular football, but my focus is completely and utterly on playing for Arsenal and breaking into the team when I get the opportunity.

"

The good news is that he is making strides in the right direction. He has already made 27 first-team appearances this season, with 13 of those being starts. Crucially, he has largely managed to remain fit, avoiding the muscular injuries that have plagued him in the past.

The major flaw in his game has been a lack of end product, but six goals and five assists make this the most productive campaign of his career to date.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has done enough to earn a new deal, and Wenger should act quickly to secure his future.

3. Santi Cazorla

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Sometimes decisions about new contracts involve an element of sentiment. That may well prove to be the case with Santi Cazorla, who is scheduled to be a free agent in just a few months' time.

Distressingly, his latest injury setback means that he could conceivably have played his last game for Arsenal. Cazorla has been forced to undergo two operations on his troublesome Achilles, and the schedule for his comeback is now uncertain.

However, Wenger has confirmed that Arsenal have an option to extend the Spaniard's contract for an extra year, per Darren Witcoop of The Independent.

"Santi has six months left and we have an option," Wenger said. "The decision on him will be taken in January. No, it does not depend on his fitness. It's my decision only. Santi is an exceptional player, and it's just for him to be capable to play."

Arsenal fans will hope Wenger does precisely that. Even at the age of 32, Cazorla is a joy to watch.

2. Mesut Ozil

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What a boost it would be for Arsenal if they were able to tie Mesut Ozil down to a new deal.

Even aside from his contribution on the field, Ozil holds a symbolic value to the club: He is their record signing and the first true world-class star to join in the Emirates Stadium era. Signing him was a statement of ambition—keeping him would be another.

The indications are that he is unwilling to commit until there is some clarity about Wenger's own future.

In an interview with German magazine Kicker (h/t Sky Sports), Ozil said: "The club knows that I am here most of all because of Arsene Wenger. He is the one who signed me and he is the one whose trust I have. The club also knows that I want to be clear what the manager is going to [do in the future]."

However, Wenger is unlikely to make his decision until the end of this season—and Arsenal won't want to wait that long to tie Ozil down.

There will be a way to circumnavigate Ozil's hesitation. In these situations, money invariably talks. Arsenal may have to break their pay structure to keep the Germany international at the club, but it's worth it. The cost of signing a replacement would be huge—if they can even find one.

1. Alexis Sanchez

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No contract talks at Arsenal right now are more important than those of Alexis Sanchez.

In the Chilean, the Gunners have the Premier League's joint-top goalscorer. Having spent years searching for a striker of this calibre, it would be an enormous blow to lose him just as he appears to be hitting new heights.

The problem is that Alexis is a player in demand. While there are doubtless plenty of clubs in Europe who would welcome him, the biggest financial offers are likely to come from Asia.

According to Rob Maul of The Sun, Alexis' compatriot, Manuel Pellegrini, is trying to lure him to China with an extraordinary offer of £500,000 per week.

Arsenal can't realistically compete with that kind of money. Instead, they must hope they can appeal to Alexis' competitive streak. They want their No. 7 to commit to the sporting challenge of remaining at the club, eschewing the vast sums on offer elsewhere.

Convincing Alexis to sign will not be easy. However, it's imperative that Arsenal do so if they are to remain a force next season and in the years to come.