After all the speculation and concern from Arsenal fans about whether or not we would be saying goodbye to our star performer Alexis Sanchez during the current transfer window, it is looking ever more likely that he will not be going anywhere for the time being, although there are still a few weeks of the window left.
Arsene Wenger has declared over and over again that he will not sell and this week he said that the striker will accept this decision and get on with doing what he does best, playing football at a high level. The actions of the Chilean are backing the bosses words up as well, with a kiss of the Arsenal badge in that open training session and the Daily Mail reporting that he looks fully committed as he throws himself wholeheartedly into training.
Wenger has also suggested that the Gunners will focus fully on the Premier League and not be too fussed about the Europa League and he seems to think that Alexis will be driven to make this title challenge a more successful one, even if it is his final year at the club, Metro reports.
The Frenchman said, ‘Of course. Why not?
‘My conviction – and if you look well – it’s always in your interests, even if you have a short contract, to do well. And the kind of character he is.
‘He is a winner. When he goes on the football pitch, he wants to win. He is a guy who loves football. He has advantages and disadvantages on both sides going into a situation like that.
‘When you have made 75 points (last season), your target is to get 10 points more. And with 10 points more, you are in there (the title race).’
In recent years you would have expected Arsenal to sell instead of risking a player leave on a free transfer but this time Wenger seems to be more bothered about getting the best from Alexis to push the Gunners close to the EPL title or at the very least back into the Champions League.
If it works, though, could it mean the double bonus of the long awaited trophy and Alexis Sanchez deciding to stay after all?
Bob.