Should Alexis Sanchez leave Arsenal?

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez is being linked with a move away from the north London club

It seems that the drama in London has moved from the east end (Eastenders) of the capital to north London, where the saga of Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez career with the club could be coming to a conclusion in the next few months.

Reports of training ground rows, Chinese offers and strops have coincided with the Chilean international’s form for the Gunners dipping in recent weeks.

Whether he has downed tools or simply cannot be bothered to carry the rest of the team is unclear. However, something is not right with the Chilean and it has been illustrated by his recent performances.

Could you blame Sanchez for leaving?

Prior to the last few weeks of action, Alexis Sanchez has come across as a guy that keeps going to the end of matches, with a never-say-die-attitude. Yet during recent games, especially against Bayern Munich, he has looked a shadow of himself.

For me, the reason is that he has become fed-up with his teammates not working as hard or just not being as good as him. His attitude is understandable considering some of the performances of his teammates in recent seasons.

Sanchez is a winner and seems constantly frustrated at Arsenal, quite simply because he is not winning, well not silverware anyway. He may be in the wrong recently for being pictured smiling and laughing during the Gunners defeat against Bayern, but so was Petr Cech.

Do people actually think that neither Sanchez nor Cech for that matter cares about the football club? Sanchez has done more in recent seasons than anybody at Arsenal to aid their title challenge. However, he is just one man. When the going gets tough for Arsenal, most of the players struggle.

In demand this summer

Sanchez will have just a year left on his Arsenal contract in the summer. Despite talks having taken place over a contract extension, all signs point to a likely summer exit for the Chilean international.

The Metro are reporting that Manchester United are the latest club to show interest in the forward. The 28-year-old has already been linked with moves to Chelsea, Manchester City, PSG and Juventus in the summer.

For anybody doubting Sanchez’s character after recent events then that illustrious list of clubs trying to sign him says it all. Most of those clubs will be expected to compete for the big trophies at home and abroad next season.

Arsenal with or without veteran boss Arsene Wenger are likely to struggle to win the big trophies next season. At the moment it is debatable if they will even be in the Champions League next season, as they are currently fourth in the table.

Sanchez is in his third season at Arsenal and all he has to show for it is one measly FA Cup. Considering he had won titles in Chile, Argentina and Spain prior to his arrival at the club I doubt one FA Cup win will keep the forward satisfied.

FA Cup now the only realistic silverware on offer

Sanchez could add another FA Cup winner’s medal to his collection this season, as the Gunners face National League side Lincoln City in the quarter-finals of the grand old trophy later today.

The side from north London are heavy favourites at odds of 1/12 to record a victory of the non-league side. However, Lincoln are unlikely to be their biggest obstacle to winning the trophy this season, as the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and Manchester City are all still in the competition.

The Gunners have struggled with recent encounters against their so-called rivals in recent seasons, so even the FA Cup will be very difficult to win this season.

Sanchez’s behaviour and sulking should not be applauded. However, the Chilean would not be conducting himself in the way he is if Arsenal showed anything like the ambition the fans and Sanchez himself want to see.

Instead, the Gunners hierarchy seem quite happy just to finish in the top-four every season. I have news for them, though. Even finishing in the top four this season could be beyond them this season. What then? Are they going to stick with Wenger?

Arsenal fans deserve better than what they are getting at the moment. Make no mistake Sanchez’s recent behaviour may have been poor, but he is their best player by a country mile. In fact, he is one of the best in the Premier League.

Why should he stay with Arsenal if they are not progressing and the club’s hierarchy do not seem bothered? He has given his all for most of the three years he has spent at the Emirates and deserves to win trophies.

Will Alexis Sanchez leave Arsenal in the summer?