Arsene Wenger has attempted to explain why Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are both running down their current contracts at the end of this season - and why it's a positive.
The Arsenal boss was speaking ahead of his side's Europa League clash against BATE on Thursday.
Both the German and Chilean will be free to leave at the end of the season, with the pair linked with moves to Manchester.
Ozil may reunite with Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford while Manchester City could come back in for Sanchez following their failed deadline day attempt.
Wenger has been criticised for allowing both players to run down their contracts, but the Gunners manager attempted to spin the situation into a positive by saying it makes the players hungrier.
"When you pick a team you do not necessarily look how long a contract is," said Wenger.
"The shorter the contract is, the more hungry the players are usually. The hunger index drops with the length of the contract."