If the reports are true about Alexis Sanchez and his attitude being the reason that he was left on the bench when Arsenal faced Liverpool away on Saturday then I think we have to have some sympathy with the manager, even though at the time it seemed to be a crazy move and it certainly did not help our chances of coming away from Anfield with anything other than a defeat.
The suggestion by John Cross in The Mirror is that the Chilean striker has become increasingly difficult to work with of late and is almost like a spoiled and sulky child at times, so the question now is where do Arsenal go from here?
We still have some important work to do before the end of the season and even if the Frenchman is planning to leave he will want to ensure that he does so on some sort of a high, perhaps with an FA cup to celebrate but if not then at least with our usual place in the Champions League.
But if Sanchez is being awkward and it is affecting the whole squad then it is vital that the rest of the Arsenal players step up to help out the boss and allow him to be has hard on the striker as he deems necessary. The last thing we need is for Wenger to have to play Alexis against his better judgment but if the likes of Giroud, Walcott, Welbeck and Ozil are not doing the business on the pitch the need for a result may force the manager’s hand.
Next up for Arsenal is the FA cup clash with non league Lincoln City and that should allow Wenger to leave Alexis out. After that will the rest of the Arsenal squad help Wenger to manage Alexis and prove that the team is strong enough to do without him?
Bob.