Sanchez seeks team that ‘is winning things’

Arsenal: Forward insists he is happy to play his club football in London

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez insists he is happy in London but wants to play in a team with a “winning mentality”.

The 28-year-old Chilean is reportedly the main summer transfer target for Premier League-leading Chelsea.

Sanchez, who has 15 months left on his Gunners deal, is keen to stay to the end of that contract.

Speaking to Chilean media while on international duty, and quoted in Publimetro, he said: “I am happy in London and hope to finish my contract there.

“I’d like to stay in the city but with a team that is winning things, that has a winning mentality.

“I’m 28 years old, I still have a lot of years ahead of me. I am a player who looks after himself.”

Sanchez has also been linked with Juventus, Paris St-Germain, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich.

The uncertainty over his Arsenal future runs in tandem with the confusion over manager Wenger, who is yet to announce whether he will agree to the new two-year deal currently on the table.

The Gunners have lost six of their last nine matches and are fighting to finish in the Premier League top four, a situation which has brought 67-year-old Wenger under intense scrutiny.

Wenger is expected to be pressed on his future once more when Arsenal hold a press conference this morning ahead of Sunday’s home match against Manchester City but former Gunners midfielder Robert Pires believes the French coach will stay.

Pires was part of Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ squad from 2003-2004 and now works as a coach at the club’s training centre in Hertfordshire.

The 43-year-old told Spanish radio station Cadena SER he believes Wenger has the desire to remain, but things have to be done differently going forwards.

“In my opinion, he will renew his contract, at least for one season. He is motivated and willing,” Pires said.

“Arsene has an offer on the table. He has to sign it. He has the backing of the owner. The fans want to win the title and Arsenal are not doing that well. They are in the FA Cup semi-finals.

“He has to continue and if he does, he needs to change many things. That is the most important thing for him and for Arsenal.

“We will see what happens.”

Picture: Getty Images. Alexis Sanchez: 15 months left on his deal with Arsenal but linked with moves to a number of clubs.