No jokes –Arsenal keeper Cech leaps to Sanchez’s defence

ARSENAL goalkeeper Petr Cech has defended striker Alexis Sanchez (pictured), dismissing media reports saying the Chilean was laughing at the side’s collapse during their Champions League defeat at home to Bayern Munich last week.

Sanchez was seen to be laughing with Cech on the bench after the striker had been substituted in the 73rd minute of the 5-1 loss as the North London club crashed out of Europe, 10-2 on aggregate in the first knockout round.

“It is sad and he was as sad as I have seen him,” the former Chelsea goalkeeper said. “I found it very disrespectful to the player. But obviously you can take the picture and you can interpret it the way you want, unfortunately.

“But we the players, we know exactly what he said and we know how he was hurting and he was as disappointed as anybody else. It is unfortunate and disappointing.”

The London club have lost five of their past eight matches in all competitions and the former Czech international said that the players must carry the blame as much as manager Arsene Wenger.

“Everybody has to share the responsibility for the position we are in and everybody has to work to get ourselves out of it,” Cech added.

“So as a player you focus on that and I believe as a manager he does the same thing. This is going to be the key now, be ready, be prepared as a team and then do the best we can do.”

Fifth-placed Arsenal visit eighth-placed West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Wilshere puts Bournemouth survival ahead of Arsenal future

Bournemouth’s Jack Wilshere has delayed a decision on his Arsenal future as the on-loan midfielder focuses on helping the south coast club to retain their place in the Premier League.

Once regarded as one of the brightest young hopes in English soccer before a series of injury setbacks, Wilshere has a year remaining on his Arsenal contract but British media reported that the north London club are yet to open talks regarding a new deal with the 25-year-old.

“I’m not thinking about my future,” Wilshere said

“My main concern at the moment is trying to keep Bournemouth in this league. I’ve got a year left at Arsenal. As soon as the season ends, I’ll sit down and I’ll think about it.”

Bournemouth, who ended an eight-game winless run in the league in Saturday’s 3-2 victory over West Ham, are still in danger of being dragged into the relegation battle, with just six points separating them from the bottom three.

Wilshere, who left Arsenal in search of for more game time, has been relegated to the bench in Bournemouth’s last two league games.

“You don’t want to be involved in a team that got relegated. “We’re trying to put Bournemouth in a good position.” Bournemouth, who are in their second season in the Premier League, host relegation rivals Swansea on Saturday. – Reuters