Most of the recent Arsenal transfer rumours this month have been about whether Alexis Sanchez will be going to Manchester City in January, or whether he will be going on a free transfer at the end of the season. With the injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne disrupting City’s attacking firepower, Pep Guardiola will be more likely to try and try and prise Alexis away from us this month, and if the rumours are true then Alexis is also chomping at the bit to get to the Etihad as quickly as possible, especially with the lure of a Premier League medal (and a possible Champions League one) at the end of the season.
Although Wenger is claiming that he has not yet received any offers for Alexis yet, he also said that he hadn’t decided whether the Chilean would be playing tonight. Here is an extract from Wenger’s press conference yesterday, as reported on Arsenal.com….
on if he expects Alexis to stay…
I expect nothing. I am focused on tomorrow’s game. When solicitations happen, you respond to it. At the moment, it’s very quiet.on if we would consider letting Alexis go…
I have nothing to add to what I said before on that.on if the uncertainty on Alexis is having an effect on the team…
What is the most important is to be professional, to perform no matter what the environment is. That’s why I believe that it does not have a big influence on your performance nor the performance of the team. It’s part of our job to deal with that.on if Alexis will play against Chelsea…
I have not decided yet. That will be decided today [Tuesday] or tomorrow morning
The transfer talks with Valencia over Francis Coquelin was basically confirmed when Wenger left the Frenchman out of the squad for the FA Cup match against Nottingham Forest at the weekend, so I think that the same thing will happen with Alexis this evening. If he plays, he stays. If he is left out completely then we will know he is leaving.
Do you agree?
Darren N