One of the main stories of the summer transfer window has been the future of Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean has less than a year left on his contract in north London and is reportedly unhappy at the club.
However, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has stated clearly that the Chilean will not leave the Gunners before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
There could be a twist in this story, though, as the Daily Mirror are reporting that Manchester City have offered cash-plus highly rated winger Raheem Sterling for Sanchez. With the player out of contract in less than a year’s time, then it may prove a tempting offer for the Gunners.
Unhappy at Arsenal
Alexis Sanchez is not a man who hides his feelings. The 28-year-old wears his heart on his sleeve. It has been clear for quite some time from his body language that he no longer wants to play for Arsenal.
The situation has been brewing for a long time. Sanchez never seemed likely to sign a new deal in north London. However, Arsenal boss Wenger has allowed the situation to drag on to the point of the Gunners potentially allowing the Chilean to leave the club for nothing next summer.
The veteran French boss is taking a huge financial gamble in the hope that Sanchez could help the team regain a top-four spot this season. Sanchez is quite an emotional guy, so if the Gunners refuse to sell him, his motivation and performance may dip slightly this season.
It may not. However, the Gunners are taking a risk by having a player at the club who now does not want to be there.
Bad for the club
I have to say Sanchez’s performance against Liverpool was one of a player whose heart, head and wallet are elsewhere. He was not the only no-show at Anfield for the Reds. However, he is the player that is supposedly a catalyst for the team to perform.
The Chilean has been Arsenal’s best player for the past couple of seasons. No doubt on his day he would be a major loss to Arsenal. However, there is no use in having a player at the club whose heart just is not in it anymore.
In truth, having such a player in the team will only cause problems in the dressing room. The fans are not stupid they know he is not happy at Arsenal, even if he has not requested a transfer or made his annoyance public in words.
As a fan, I would not be happy having a player in my team that obviously did not want to wear the shirt or help the team to success. Having such a player in the team just creates an atmosphere, especially from his own fans towards the player.
Arsenal fans have been relatively patience with Sanchez, as to some degree they understand Sanchez’s frustration at the team’s relative struggles in recent years. However, if he stays and fails to perform this season, then he could endure a very hard campaign.
Could go either way
For all of Arsene Wenger’s declarations that Sanchez is staying, there must be a small part of the Frenchman that believes selling the star may be the best thing for the club.
For me, this story could have legs and Sanchez could still leave the north London club before the Thursday deadline. Sanchez is now odds of 1/3 to join City before the window shuts, which suggests the bookmakers believe there is a big chance of it actually happening.
If I were an Arsenal fan, I would be torn on this issue. On one hand, Alexis Sanchez is the Gunners best player and the player that makes the Gunners tick. However, on the other hand, he is unlikely to perform to the best of his ability if he stays at the club against his will.
There is no doubt that in modern day football player power has gone mad. Sometimes though you have to look at what is best for the club and team. At the moment selling Alexis Sanchez may not prove to be a terrible decision.
Will Alexis Sanchez be an Arsenal player after Thursday deadline?
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