Manchester City are hoping Arsenal will back down and cash in on Alexis Sanchez but Arsene Wenger insists he is going nowhere.

City boss Pep Guardiola has put the Chilean forward at the top of his wanted list but has been told on numerous occasions by Wenger that he is not for sale, especially to a Premier League rival.

However reports claim that City are hopeful that Arsenal will eventually back down and decide to cash in on him before the transfer window closes, rather than run the risk of losing him for nothing in 12 months.

Those reports could not be wider of the mark according to Wenger, who is adamant the forward is going nowhere.

Wenger says the decision is in his hands and he wants to keep the player at the club for the forthcoming season.

"Yes, the board supports me to make the decisions on a technical front," Wenger replied when asked if he had 100 per cent backing to decide who comes and who leaves.

"I can tell you is that he is focused, and my decision is clear: he will stay and he will respect that. It is as simple as that.

"Every negotiation has to be a little bit secret. The transparency of society is very pushy but we have to resist a little bit, as much as we can. I think he will be here this season, and if we can do it for more seasons we will do it as well."