Arsenal stars are facing pay-cuts if they fail to make the top four this season. The Daily Mail says the club are currently attempting to tie down a clutch of their core players to long-term contracts.

And those new deals will include Champions League failure clauses that will essentially result in players taking home less money if they fail to make Europe's elite competition.

Players who are in talks over new deals include Carl Jenkinson, Kieran Gibbs, Alex Oxlade- Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Bacary Sagna.

The decision from the Gunners hierarchy has been made to protect the club financially should they miss out on the cash windfall linked to Champions League qualification. The clauses stipulate a player will not receive full bonuses if they miss out on the top four.