There’s been plenty of rumours about Alexis Sanchez’s future at Arsenal already this season, with several sources understanding that the Gunners star won’t commit to a new long term contract, until he has assurances over wages and ambition.
It’s been a longstanding saga that’s been present at the club ever since the end of the summer transfer window. When it was initially revealed that fellow Arsenal star Mesut Ozil, was in talks with the club about a new deal, it was anticipated that Alexis would then be up next on the negotiations list. Alexis was rumoured to be wanting a wage similar to the best paid players in the world, putting him at around the £200,000-£250,000 a week mark.
It’s understood that Arsenal, quite rightly in my opinion, weren’t willing to match such a demand, especially as the club has always had a strong ethos on not breaking the bank. It is vital that we keep hold of our best stars, but if it’s true that Alexis is willing to allow money to get in the way of things at Arsenal, then it’s disappointing from a fan favourite of the club.
As a result of the supposed ‘ongoing tensions’ over the contract negotiations, it has been reported in the media that a number of clubs are looking at the Chilean international, with Inter Milan the latest side to take a fancy to the winger-turned striker.
First of all, if Alexis is remaining firm on his passion for the game and ambition being the highest of all qualities, then surely a move to Inter Milan isn’t the most logical. For that reason I don’t really believe this rumour. He’s already played in Seria A with Udinese and at a peak age in his career, I can’t see him wanting to go back to Italy.
In addition to this, a number of English papers are today reporting that Alexis’ agent has considered the possibility of going to the Chinese Super League. The reports suggest that Alexis’ believes he could pocket up to £300k per week, making him one of the very best paid players in the world.
There is no doubt that Alexis would be absolutely no match for the defenders in the Chinese League, but in terms of ambition, again it just won’t be enough for Alexis Sanchez. For that reason again, I can’t see this being a realistic move for the Chilean.
Alexis prides himself on working hard to be a the top level he can be on a consistent basis. The guy holds a passion and drive that you rarely see in modern day footballers, with determination to be on the ball at every opportunity. Such qualities make him very ambitious and one of the reasons as to why he would supposedly consider a move away from Arsenal, would be because he doesn’t feel the Gunners are showing enough ambition. It would therefore be pretty silly to imagine Alexis wanting to go to play in the Chinese League, when he’s at his current peak in European football.
Hopefully though Alexis comes to terms with the Arsenal officials and agrees a new deal with the Gunners to keep him at the Emirates for the long term future.
By AH
The wage structure at Arsenal one of delusion, and it causes us so many problems. Arsenal are probably not willing to pay around £250k per week, because they already have one the highest wage bills in world football, and they don’t want to make the situation even worse. Problem is, despite the size of our wage bill, we do not have a squad packed with quality. What we have is a lot of rubbish/average players on huge wages. In fact, players like Sanchez and Ozil, earn only a little more than the likes of Walcott and Giroud. The likes of Ramsey and the Ox (who never perform) earn big, even players with chronic injuries that were/are rarely available for selection earn big!
Arsenal seem to have this team philosophy for the wage structure, where everyone should be on almost the same level of pay. In reality, this is crazy! The players who rarely perform, should earn nowhere near that of the players that consistently contribute to the club’s success. Arsenal need to stop giving big pay rises to players based only on potential, because most of time, player’s do not reach that full potential.
It’s not just Arsenal, you do see similar situations at other clubs, but I feel at Arsenal, it’s at it’s worse. Top class players earning only a little more than rubbish/average players make no sense in terms of: struggling to sell rubbish/average players because no one will match their ridiculous wages, contract renewals (as we’re seeing with the likes Sanchez and Ozil, not to mention other top players who have left in the past), and in terms of attracting top quality players.
I don’t think this will change until Wenger leaves. I’m not having a pop at him for the sake of it, but he does like to keep players around for a long time, even if they don’t perform. Naturally, this means the players in question keep getting pay raises. At most other clubs, if a player hasn’t been performing, then asks for a big pay raise, they’re usually shown the door. The likes of Diaby, Ramsey, the Ox, etc, would never have lasted as long, and earned as much , under most top managers.
If Alexis really wants to play in the Chinese league, then he shouldn’t really be playing for Arsenal Football Club.
He won’t go there when he’s still in his prime, I think he’s just letting us know how much money some people would pay. This is good, bringing up money, I’d be more worried if his camp was talking about how Alexis only thinks about winning the CL. I’d feel more secure if we had a compatriot of his in the squad, even let Alexis choose a friend of his that he’d like to play alongside. Chile had a couple of very good strikers just before Alexis’s time, Zamarano and Salas, maybe Wenger should look for the next up and comer from that country. I will say though that Wengers words were encouraging after that Bourn game, he spoke very highly of Alexis and then said he is willing to pay, he sounded confident, like he knew something already, after that then he said we have time.
Too many average players are earning high wage at Arsenal, and too easily.
When we are attacking in games you don’t expect anything special with Ramsey, Ox and Walcott on the ball, and they prove you right. More often than not they waste possession.
A player like Payet will transform our approach in games. sWenger won’t be willing to get players who will go ahead of Ox, Walcott and now Iwobi.
We have one of the highest managers in the world why shouldn’t we pay our top players to the same standard???
Until I read on Sky Sports, or BBC about Alexis signing a new contract with Arsenal, or been sold to Inter Milan or some club in Chinese league, it’s all pure speculation. No need to worry just yet, especially with another year left on his current deal. So let’s just keep calm, and support our guys.
I think the clue is in his post match comment when he said how he loves the EPL but was showing respect to the top clubs, what that tells me is that he wants to stay in the EPL but his not exclusive to Arsenal if he doesn’t get his way
We love Alexis and Ozil but I can guarantee you one thing : there won’t be any other RvP incidents at the Arsenal. Either whoever wants them will pay through their ears or Arsenal will rundown the contract for both of them.
If we are to go by Arsenal “wage structure” then Wenger shouldn’t be earning 8mil,and Stan and Gazidi should be milking the club 1-3mil yearly,fans shouldn’t be paying the highest ticket. All am saying is Alexis is the top committed player in Arsenal and he deserves his demand,talking about Ambition, tell me which top player wouldn’t want to win big trophies? What would classify him as a great player when his cabinet is empty? I say give him a two-year extension with his wage demand,he would still fetch good money if all doesn’t go as planned in the trophy aspect (which I doubt)