Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has given his views on the future of Chilean star Alexis Sanchez. The Frenchman believes that the winger will stay at the Emirates amidst strong interest from Pep Guardiola.
For a long time now, Alexis Sanchez has been linked with a move away from Arsenal. The Chilean was reportedly heartbroken when his transfer to Manchester City broke down over the summer, according to City keeper Claudio Bravo. The Gunners failed in their pursuit of AS Monaco star Thomas Lemar and therefore were unwilling to sell Sanchez.
Nonetheless, the rumors linking him with an Emirates exit haven’t stopped. Sanchez is still being linked with a January move to the Etihad. However, Wenger has been quick to quell these rumors from time to time and has once again spoken about his marquee player’s future.
Arsene Wenger: "You say everybody thinks City will come in for Alexis [in January] – I am part of everybody and I don’t think he will go." pic.twitter.com/le0p20ky21
— City Watch (@City_Watch) November 3, 2017
Wenger insists Gunners need Alexis Sanchez
The Frenchman spoke to the media ahead of the highly anticipated clash with City. When asked if Sanchez’s determination would be affected following all those City rumors, Wenger rejected any such claims. He believes the Chilean has the right desire and is in the right state of mind to face the Citizens in Arsenal’s toughest test this season.
Sanchez still hasn’t signed a new deal with the Gunners, which can only point to one fact, that he wishes to leave. However, Wenger believes that the former Barcelona star will stay at the Emirates. He said,“You say everybody thinks City will come in for Alexis – I am part of everybody and I don’t think he will go”.
Alexis is yet to find a consistent run of form for the Gunners early in the season.
City’s attack has been most effective this season. Guardiola has found a way to rotate every player and make them effective against different teams. This poses a question of whether the City boss actually needs Sanchez. Wenger has asked the same question and said,”Do City need him? They have to decide that. But we need him here”.
Wenger expects Sanchez to be motivated
Speaking with regards to Sanchez’s mood ahead of the big game against City, Wenger was positive about the Chilean’s state of mind. The former AS Monaco boss expects Sanchez to be “motivated” against the mighty Citizens and also said, “that is always the case. One thing you cannot fault in Alexis Sanchez is his motivation. When he plays for Chile, he plays with passion that is in South America.”
Arsene Wenger is not buying the Manchester City hype just yet pic.twitter.com/ESmjIVcRxA
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 3, 2017
Wenger further went on to say, “It’s the same for [previous club] Barcelona and Arsenal. He is happy when he is on the pitch and that is all he wants.Was he close to joining City? No. But at the end of the day, close or not does not matter. It does not have any influence. What is important is that, when you are somewhere and you have the opportunity to give your best, that is what you must do“.
Apart from Sanchez, the club is also doubtful of the future of Mesut Ozil, whose contract also runs out in the summer of 2018. Manchester United have been strongly linked with a January move for the German international, however, Wenger maintains a neutral stance on the matter.
Author’s take
It is the same story once again for Wenger, Sanchez, and Arsenal. The Frenchman is being forced to cover the situation and defend his players. If the Gunners are able to find a replacement for the Chilean in January, no doubt they will let Sanchez go for a bargain deal to their Premier League rivals, the same could be said of Ozil as well.
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