Wenger denies Sanchez rift

LONDON. — Arsene Wenger has denied any training ground rift with Alexis Sanchez. Wenger said reports of a training ground row between Sanchez and his team-mates are also “completely false”. The Gunners boss was yesterday responding to reports of a bust-up which led to the Chilean being dropped against Liverpool on Saturday. Wenger said yesterday: “Yes (the media reports are) completely false, but I understand you have to fill newspapers.”

LONDON. — Arsene Wenger has denied any training ground rift with Alexis Sanchez.

Wenger said reports of a training ground row between Sanchez and his team-mates are also “completely false”.

The Gunners boss was yesterday responding to reports of a bust-up which led to the Chilean being dropped against Liverpool on Saturday. Wenger said yesterday: “Yes (the media reports are) completely false, but I understand you have to fi ll newspapers.

“When you don’t win games . . . we have to accept that.”

Wenger once again reiterated that the decision whether Sanchez would be with the club next season is entirely in Arsenal’s hands.

He added: “I explained after the game I decided to go for a more direct option, that was the unique reason for my decision.

“He’s a committed player and sometimes has excessive behaviours but you look back to the history of the same in every squad. Alexis Sanchez has 15 months on his contract so the decision will depend completely on Arsenal football club, not anyone else.”

Sanchez is believed to have had an angry exchange with fellow players after leaving training mid-session prior to Saturday’s loss at Liverpool. He was confronted by team-mates on their return to the changing room as tempers flared.

“I’m not aware, nothing happened,” said Wenger.

Sanchez was left out of the starting line-up at Anfield but came on and set up a goal for his side in the second half as Arsenal lost 3-1.

Wenger was speaking before the second leg of his side’s Champions League last-16 tie tonight at home to Bayern Munich, who lead 5-1. Sanchez took a full part in Arsenal’s training session yesterday