Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
EMIRATES CUP LAC LUSTRE
Alex one of few to deliver while Wenger predicting a waiting game in the market
ARSENE WENGER last night made an astonishing claim that it is “ideal” for star players to go into their final year without signing a new contract.
Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez continues to be linked with a big-money move to Manchester City and Champions League football at the Etihad.
And he could force the issue by making an official transfer request at work this week.
The Chile superstar is in South America as he overcomes a bout of flu – but is due to fly back to England tonight.
Wenger saw Arsenal’s new record £52million signing Alexandre Lacazette score on his full Emirates debut, but it was not enough to prevent defeat by a slick Sevilla outfit.
The French manager looked concerned from the moment Joaquin Correa opened the scoring (right).
He was full of praise for Lacazette, but nowhere near as complimentary about the service he received from the other Gunners.
But, inevitably, the focus of attention remains on Sanchez.
And Wenger is determined to keep his special forward – who plundered 30 goals last season and made 19 assists – even if it means losing him for nothing next summer. When asked if he was comfortable with the situation, Wenger said: “Not an issue. I think it’s an ideal situation. Everyone has to perform.
“I think in the future you will see it more and more. Why? Because the transfers are so high even for normal players, you will see more and more players going into the final year of the contract because no club will want to pay the amount demanded.
“I’m convinced in the next 10 years it will become usual.
“When you’re a football player, you perform until the last day of your contract. Whether you have two years or one left it doesn’t change. You want to play and do well.
“Do you really think they sit in the dressing room and think, ‘Oh, I have one year to go, I will not play well today’. Where does that come from? Nobody knows if Sanchez will not extend his contract as well here.”
Pressed on whether he thought Sanchez would stay, Wenger said: “Yes, of course. How many times did I tell you that?”
Arsenal still managed to collect the Emirates Cup, despite Sevilla winning both their games as the Gunners scored the most goals in the tournament.
Wenger said: “Lacazette got his goal and overall I think it was an encouraging performance.
“He suffered a bit from the fact we were a bit flat and not dominating enough for him to get the service. He was one of the few who had a positive game.”