Arsene Wenger decided to play Alexis Sanchez as Arsenal’s main striker yesterday against Man City, in place of our most expensive signing ever, Alexandre Lacazette. Many people have questioned whether than was a good idea, not only because of the fact that the Chilean was very close to signing for City in the summer, but also because Lacazette had already scored 5 League goals in his first couple of months with the club, whereas Sanchez has only scored once!
Alan Shearer said: “He left him out at Anfield and again today, against your rivals,”
“You spend £50m on a striker and think he will make the difference in the big games.
“He has scored six league goals, more than double anyone else in that Arsenal team.
“He played Alexis Sanchez today, who doesn’t want to commit himself to the football club, what does that say to Lacazette and his teammates?
“He has got every right to go and knock on Wenger’s door tomorrow and say: ‘Do you not fancy me or something?'”
It didn’t help Wenger’s cause when he brought on Laca with 25 mins to go and he immediately scored another goal to bring us back into the game, while Sanchez was again goal-less after 90 minutes. Wenger did not explain why our expensive Frenchman was on the bench, but he did thinks Alexis had a good game as striker. “I felt that in the difficult moments of the game, he did very well because he was on his own up front.” Wenger said.”In the first half I felt he was very sharp but he had not enough support. Overall, I think he has given everything.”
Wenger was then asked if he thought it was a ‘mental test’ for Sanchez, and he replied. “It is a huge mental test, but I had no doubt about him before the game. I know that he is focused and he wants to win. I just thought he had a good performance.”
Hmm I wonder why it would be a ‘huge mental test’ for Alexis unless Wenger is admitting that the Chilean was close to signing for City. But whether it was a ‘mental test’ or not, should he really have been playing ahead of top scorer? I think it was a ridiculous decision!
Darren N