One of the headlines that have dominated this summer is Alexis Sanchez’s future at Arsenal. The paths of the Chilean international and the North London club seem to be diverging on a daily basis.
From the contract situation to his reported attitude and utterances as well as increasing interest from poachers such as Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain, it seems very likely that the brilliant forward will call it quits at the Emirates in no distant time.
Sanchez has barely 12 months left on his current contract and has so far refused to put pen to paper on an improved new deal and therefore, will be free to walk away from the North London club for Free next season.
Between the choices of cashing in on the much-wanted attacker and the risk of loosing him for free at the end of the season, Arsene Wenger has decided to go for the former. The manager has insisted that the forward will honor his current contract and play for Arsenal next season even if he refuses to sign a new one.
He was quoted as saying: “The decision has been made and we will stick to that – the decision is not to sell.”
With this decision, one has to really consider the significance to the club. While some teams can’t wait to lay their hands on our priced talisman, some will be glad to have him for free next summer. Also, we can decide to do business now and cash in about £50 million and seek a reasonable replacement as soon as possible instead of having him walk out for free.
Also, there is a possibility of him joining a rival club like Chelsea or any of the Manchester clubs next summer for free, this can squarely be avoided by selling him now to either Bayern or PSG.
Another reason why it may be prudent to consider selling Sanchez is the players own antics. He is the sort of player who likes to have things his own way. It was evident when he joined us ahead of Liverpool.
His actions also suggest that his ambitions are bigger than Arsenal and that he may not be at the same level with the players we have. This can be a problem both on and off the pitch and we can’t afford it.
Let’s analyse the case from the other side, what could be the reason behind Wenger’s decision to keep him at all costs? It seems the experienced manager clearly wants to let show that Arsenal is no longer a club that sells its talents.
The club has grown beyond the temptation of money. Also, he is likely trying to convince the player of the ambitions of the club while also preventing similar situations from arising in the near future
In all, it is fair for Wenger to be rigid in matters of this nature at the moment. We need to do all we can to step out of the disappointment of playing in the second tier of European football and aim for some silverware next season.
