Speaking to the press ahead of another crunch game for Arsenal at the weekend, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger rather timidly suggested that star striker Alexis Sanchez is happy at the club.
Wenger is quoted by Sky Sports as saying:
“In a positive way, there’s only one team in London, so he’s happy.
“I have not a lot to add. I think he’s happy here. We have not extended his contract, I hope he will stay at the club.
He also reiterated his stance on Arsenal’s new found ability to hold on to their star players in the light of reported interest from Chelsea:
“It happened before when we had to sell our best players. But that’s not the case any more.
“He has one and half years contract. I don’t think it is an immediate concern for Arsenal.”
Sanchez has been the subject of intense speculation about his future and has had a seemingly stormy relationship with Wenger at times this season.
But as one of the best players in world football the ball is very much in his court with regards his future and he could walk into virtually any team in the elite.
Sanchez has played 106 times for Chile and scored 36 goals.
At club level he’s been on fire for Arsenal since he signed in the summer of 2014, with 64 goals in 132 games at a rate of about one goal every two games – and much of his time at the club has been spent playing in the wide areas before a move inside this term.
TFF feels that there is every chance the player will ask for a move this summer unless there are sweeping changes at a club which has been treading water for too long.
In terms of the future of the manager himself, Wenger remained defiant when asked about his own destiny at the club:
“I am very clear in my mind. Do I stay two more years?
“My commitment will be the same. It does not influence my attitude. I’ve always been clear in my mind.
“It’s a subject that is not sorted completely.”
Wenger also confirmed that Alexis Sanchez would be fit for the weekend despite taking a knock in the international break but that Cech, Cazorla and Perez are all sidelined.
Arsenal face Manchester City at The Emirates on Sunday at 16:00 GMT.