Alexis Sanchez. Yet again this season, we’ve been left gobsmacked by what the Chilean can do with a football.
The Premier League’s current top goalscorer has been the shining light for Arsenal’s title challenge, but one factor has cast a worrying shadow of the striker’s future.
Alexis has less than 18 months to run on his current Gunners contract, and reports continue to suggest he’s unhappy with the lack of desire running through the club.
However, whenever you need a pick-me-up, Robert Pires is always a pretty good guy to turn to, and it’s him that has revealed something huge in Alexis’ chances of staying.
In an exclusive interview with London Evening Standard, the former Arsenal midfielder suggested there was only one thing on Alexis’ mind:
I know Alexis Sanchez and he prefers to stay at Arsenal because he knows the club and he has a lot of confidence in the fans and Arsene Wenger.
I am still training with Arsenal and there has been no effect on the team. Is it being talked about at the training ground? No.
Of course, this is a brilliant signal to suggest the negotiations are in full swing, but there’s yet again one thing that’s cropped up in Pires’ comments.
Just like the Ozil comments in early January, Pires has picked out Arsene Wenger as a key factor for extending his deal, and so it seems we can’t have one without the other.
Alexis and Ozil both joined this club due to the faith Wenger had in them, and working underneath him has been seen as an ‘easy ride’ it could be argued.
Given the circumstances, Arsenal can’t afford to lose their manager of 20 years, and then wave goodbye to their two world-class players during one summer.
So Arsenal fans, it looks like if we want our beloved Ozil and Alexis to stay, then it means Wenger getting another couple of year managing the North London side.
What’s your opinion on the matter? Let us know by commenting below or tweet us directly using @Fresh_Arsenal!