Arsene Wenger's actions over the next couple of months could make or break his Arsenal future.

A hugely disappointing 2017 has seen the Gunners fall 19 points behind league leaders Chelsea and lose 10-2 on aggregate to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

And the worst could be yet to come. Arsenal are currently sixth in the Premier League and at serious threat of finishing outside of the top four for the first time since 1994/95.

Failure to qualify for the Champions League could hold serious ramifications - not only for Arsenal, but also for Wenger.

Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil would likely jump ship, while Arsenal's board would have to question whether Wenger should stay on as manager.

The Frenchman's biggest priority at the moment is securing a top four place, but there's another huge worry in the midst: expiring contracts.

Sanchez, Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all have under 18 months remaining on their current deals, with Wenger yet to tie any of them down to extensions.

Why that's the case is anyone's guess.

A combination of ignorance and being over confident appears to be the problem, with Wenger claiming on Thursday that Sanchez and Ozil want to stay.

"I personally believe both of them want to stay," he said, per Sky Sports. "I hope the club will find an agreement with them."

Should Sanchez and Ozil leave as expected in the summer, this wouldn't be the first time Wenger's delusion has got the better of him.

Back in July 2011, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri were being linked with moves away from north London, but Wenger made it clear they were going nowhere.

And what happened that summer? Fabregas joined Barcelona and Nasri left for Manchester City. History appears to be repeating itself.

"Yes [I expect Cesc to stay]. As simple as that," he said. "I have never spoken about what has happened behind closed doors but Cesc loves the club.

"We know the Barcelona story goes on for years now and we have to close that. Now we focus on the new season, hopefully with Cesc Fabregas.

"Yes [I expect Nasri to stay as well]. There is always speculation when a player has one year to go on his contract that he might leave the club but Samir Nasri is very happy at the Club and committed to stay at the Club.

"I hope he will sign a new contract but I am not the only one to decide that."

Awkward. Fabregas completed a move to Barcelona one month after Wenger's comments, while City signed Nasri towards the end of August.