Whilst all of the media are jumping on Arsene Wenger to provide an update on the future of Alexis Sanchez, it seems another French legend has lent a hand.
Former Arsenal star and club coach Robert Pires has opened up about the thought process Sanchez is currently going through as talks begin to heat up of his commitment to the club.
Pires was speaking to Chilean media outlet La Tercera (transcribed by Sport Witness) following the dramatic 2-1 win over Burnley on Sunday afternoon that lifted Arsenal to second in the league thanks to Sanchez’s heroics.
The Chilean has already bagged 15 goals and seven assists in the Premier League this season, making him a huge asset for the North London club to hold on to.
Since his adaptation to a centre forward, Arsene Wenger has got the very best out of the 28-year-old, the most recent showing of that being his cheeky panenka winner last weekend.
However, whilst we celebrate the clubs wonder man, his form is only adding more zero’s to the cheque the Arsenal board will inevitably offer him over the next few weeks.
With just 18 months left on his current deal, the Gunners are keen to sort his future out sooner rather than later, but that could come down to Wenger’s future as manager.
Luckily, we’ve got an inside man in the shape of Robert Pires, who after training with the forward all season, has picked up an idea of Sanchez’s mindset amongst the media speculation.
I spoke to Alexis last week and asked about the renewal. He told me he didn’t know, that he only cared to play.
The renewal is not a subject for Alexis. He doesn’t know what is going to happen, he just wants to play.
All we want is for Alexis to remain at Arsenal. I hope he renews his contract because he is a wonderful player. Alexis is the engine of the car. I hope he stays forever.
It may come as no surprise that all Alexis is really thinking about is business on the field rather than off it, but we can take many readings from Pires’ comments.
It looks as if he’s putting it to the back of his mind and letting his feet do the talking, because it’s almost like he wants to earn his contract extension and have something to aim for.
Sanchez is a hard man to figure out at times, his body language comes across as a frustrated individual that wants to be achieving success at the highest level.
But I’ve got every faith he’ll sign, he’s already stated his affection for this club during an interview in the New Year, and his celebration against Burnley said a thousand words.
Not to mention ‘that’ banner which is now hanging proudly from the Emirates crowd, this is a football club that have loved him non-stop, and he understands that.
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