If the game between Chile and Paraguay on Thursday night, and the performance in it of the Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez, is anything to go by then Arsenal fans may have reasons to be worried about the effect that the disappointment of seeing his potential transfer away from the Gunners collapse will have on our star man.
Chile are normally very strong in World Cup qualifiers, especially on their own turf, but they were comfortably beaten 3-0 by a bang average Paraguay side. The game kicked off shortly after Alexis discovered that the deal that had been agreed was not going to happen after all and although we can only guess how he felt, the Chile defeat stands out as a real shock.
Of course, time is a great healer and we know that the Chilean tends to put most things to one side once he steps out on to a football pitch, so perhaps Arsenal fans will soon see our forward giving opposing defenders nightmares once again very soon.
As reported by Metro, Wenger has spoken about it and said that he does not think there will be a problem.
The boss said, ‘Your interest is always to perform and he is 100 per cent committed, I have no doubt about that.
‘It’s very difficult for me to speak about what happened because what I want the player to do now is focus on his career, on his season and on Arsenal Football Club.
‘I spoke before about integrity and values and I always make sure my commitment is at the level expected from the people who pay me and have confidence in me.
‘I think the players’ side is exactly the same.’
However, a drop of just a few percent in energy, desire and attitude can have a big effect on any player or any team’s performance, do do you think that Arsenal will be able to get the best out of Sanchez after his transfer to Man City fell apart at the last minute?
Bob.