DEFENDS SANCHEZ

Arsenal boss backs wantaway star’s ‘full of commitment’ display despite fans thinking otherwise

LONDON they could wait until the summer to snap him up on a free transfer.

The more cynical of Arsenal’s fans, quick to make their views known on social media after the game, saw Sanchez’s performance, full of commitment and skill, as a shop window display for City’s, or even Paris Saint Germain’s, delectation.

Wenger, though, told reporters: “Always when people don’t have long contracts, they are questioned. The best way to show they are committed is to give that kind of performance.

“I felt he was very good tonight from the first minute on, focused on the game. This kind of Sanchez is a great football player, as we know. That’s the kind of performance we want from him.”

Though it has been considered a formality that Sanchez will leave, Wenger added: “Look, first of all nobody knows what will happen really. It’s difficult to speculate.

“At the moment we are focused on the next game, with the players committed and ready to fight. It’s not a guarantee of how long you stay somewhere.

“As long as you are somewhere, you give your best. I’m not a specialist in psychology.”

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry claimed that Sanchez’s contract rift with Arsenal was causing divisions at the club after the Chilean reacted with confusion and then anger at being snubbed by some of his teammates during a goal celebration.

Sanchez scored to put the Gunners 2-1 up after being on the back foot, but rather than jubilant scenes, there was a muted celebration with only a few players embracing him.

A number of his teammates simply turned their backs and trudged back to the half-way line, which the Sky Sports pundits took to mean all is not well in the Arsenal dressing room.

Sanchez appeared totally nonplussed by the reaction, and tried to call the other players over.

His plea were ignored and Sanchez was visibly irate as he appeared to ask Alexandre Lacazette why the other group had reacted in such a way.

Henry said: “There is a division in the team. He is asking them to come. ‘Why are they not coming? Don’t you want to celebrate?’.

“You’re not here for Alexis Sanchez, you’re here for Arsenal. Arsenal scored. Go and celebrate. Whoever does it (scores), we don’t care about that, go and celebrate with your teammate.

“Maybe we are reading too much into it but I noticed it. Sanchez made me notice it. It was like he thought he was alone.”

Fellow match analyst Graeme Souness agreed, saying: “That tells you there is a divided dressing room. That shows they aren’t having Sanchez at the moment. I only see that when teams are 5-1 up, not 2-1 up. You’re elated, you’ve just scored a goal. It is clear there is a dynamic in the dressing room that all is not well.”

Lacazette, Granit Xhaka, Shkodran Mustafi and Mesut Ozil were the players to run off with Sanchez and congratulate him.

But Callum Chambers, Sead Kolasinac, Jack Wilshere, Hector Bellerin and Laurent Koscielny turned their backs despite his repeated calls over to them.

Meanwhile, Wilshere, also outstanding in the Arsenal win and creator of Sanchez’s second goal with an exquisite long pass, said afterwards that he expected to sign a new deal with the club.

The England midfielder, who like Sanchez is out of contract in the summer, said: “The boss said he will speak to me... I’m sure it will get done.” Agencies