SANCHEZ TO STAY

Wenger insists on no January sale of his star striker

ARSENE WENGER has reacted angrily to suggestions that injuryhit Manchester City will snap up Alexis Sanchez this month.

Premier League leaders City lost Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne to injury in their New Year’s Eve draw at Crystal Palace.

Boss Pep Guardiola was expected to wait until the summer to sign Sanchez on a free but may now make another bid for the Chilean, who was expected to move north last summer, after City’s home clash with Watford tonight. Wenger described Sanchez’s performance in the 1-1 draw at West Brom on Sunday as “fantastic” and it was noticeable that his teammates celebrated his opening goal with him, as though in response to claims from former Gunner Thierry Henry of a divided dressing room at the Emirates.

The 29-year-old scored his ninth goal of the season with a deflected free-kick and Wenger afterwards dismissed claims it could prove the Chilean’s last game for Arsenal.

Wenger, whose side host London rivals Chelsea tomorrow night, replied: “We play on Wednesday night.” And he gave short shift to talk of City attempting to prise striker Sanchez away this month.

The Frenchman (above, with Sanchez) responded: “I have spoken about that many times.

“I am not ready to talk about that any more. I have given you my answer many, many times.

“I don’t see why I should come back on a subject I have talked about 155 times.”

Before leaving the Hawthorns, Wenger was asked to assess former Barcelona star Sanchez’s display and replied: “I think he was fantastic.”