Arsenal cannot argue if Alexis Sanchez wants to be made the club's best-paid player, according to Rio Ferdinand.
Sanchez has been in superb form since being deployed up front and produced heroics as the Gunners secured a 5-1 victory over London rivals West Ham this evening.
The 27-year-old netted a hat trick, with his final goal a sumptuous chip over goalkeeper Darren Randolph, to take his tally for the campaign to 13.
Sanchez's efforts reinforced his importance to Arsene Wenger and, with just 18 months left to run on his current contract at the Emirates Stadium, Ferdinand is adamant the Gunners should bow to the Chile international's demands.
"If he comes in and says 'I want to be your top paid player' then they can't argue," Ferdinand told BT Sport.
"He's had the opportunity to go to a team that was winning [Barcelona] and it didn't quite happen for him.
"Here he's the main main, the talisman, the kingpin and he might want that for his ego."
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright also believes Sanchez is now in a strong bargaining position and has advised Wenger to pull out all the stops to return the forward's service
"Absolutely - without a shadow of a doubt. They've got to everything to make sure he does stay," Wright insisted.
