GOING GOING GUN
Sanchez silence speaks volumes
ALEXIS SANCHEZ’S silence on his Arsenal future is anything but golden for Arsene Wenger.
The Chile ace faced the media in St Petersburg yesterday ahead of his country’s Confederations Cup final showdown with Germany. There was one subject on the agenda and it wasn’t how Sanchez intends to outwit the Germans tomorrow. What people wanted to know was where he would be playing next season? His response was brief, but left no-one in doubt – it wouldn’t be with the Gunners. So his mind is made up and he knows where he will be in August. If he had signed the contract offer on the table from the Gunners then why wouldn’t he say so? If he had no intention of leaving the Emirates and was happy to stay and help Wenger’s men fight for titles and a return to the Champions League, why wouldn’t he tell us? That’s because Sanchez is not expected to do either. Ever since the 28-year-old was told that Pep Guardiola wanted to take him to Manchester City, his heart has been set on a reunion with the Spaniard.
It was Guardiola who took him to Barcelona from Udinese in 2011 in a £26m deal to make him the first Chilean to play for the Spanish giants.
The pair formed a strong bond and maintained a close relationship after Guardiola headed to Bayern Munich and Sanchez joined the Gunners in 2014.
Guardiola can offer Sanchez a more lucrative contract, Champions League football and a more realistic chance of winning major honours.
He can also offer Sanchez a leading role in a more progressive side, one that seems destined to reach the top.
Twinkling
Sanchez continued to carry the Gunners last season, but looked disenchanted.
Replays of him berating his teammates are not hard to find.
The flying winger with the twinkling feet knew he was too good for the stage he was on.
Sanchez also knows his wonderful talents can be fulfilled at the Etihad, along with his ambitions.
He cannot confirm he is joining City because a deal hasn’t been struck.
But it will be in the coming weeks, once the Etihad machine moves into overdrive.