Arsene Wenger expects Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry to sign long-term contract extensions early next year, even though the players will have to make a financial "sacrifice" to remain at Arsenal.
Wenger knows the club cannot match the wages the pair could earn elsewhere, but is confident negotiations will be successfully concluded by the end of February.
Both players said yesterday that they were keen to stay, with Henry stating that money would not change his thinking.
Recent success has made Arsenal attractive, but their paying power remains restricted. They are hamstrung by a relatively small capacity, the need to invest in a new, 60,000-seat stadium and a desire to stabilise a wage bill that increased by nearly £21 million (€33 million) last year, contributing to a £22.3 million pre-tax loss for the financial year 2001-02.
"In my opinion it's a minor problem," Wenger said of the money the club can offer Vieira and Henry, "because I believe that they are well paid already and they will be well paid. Of course we will respect our wages potential and I think they will make a sacrifice as well."
Wenger also wants to secure Robert Pires' long-term future, though Vieira's case is the most urgent with his contract expiring at the end of next season. The captain has again made clear that he has no desire to leave.
"I am in talks to find a compromise and I can't see any reason why I would not stay with Arsenal," he told France Football magazine. "I have experienced so many things with that club, and for me winning the Champions League with Arsenal would be more meaningful than with Manchester United or Real Madrid."
Henry said last night that he would be happy to spend his career at Highbury, even though that means missing out on potential earnings.
"As long as Arsenal want me I will not walk away," he stated. "The sacrifice I have to make for the team I will do.
"What's more important? To play in a team like we are at the moment or to have more money and sit on the bench or be in a team when you are not enjoying where you are playing?"
Tonight Arsenal can all but secure their place in the next round of the Champions League by winning at Auxerre. They are without the injured Dennis Bergkamp, whom Wenger wants to keep beyond this season. He expects the Dutchman to decide in April or May whether to retire.
AUXERRE: Cool; Radet, Boumsong, Mexes, Jaures; Lachuer, Tainio, Faye, Fadiga; Kapo, Benjani.
ARSENAL: Seaman; Lauren, Campbell, Cygan, Cole; Wiltord, Gilberto Silva, Vieira, Ljungberg; Kanu, Henry.
