Arsene Wenger backed striker Alexis Sanchez not to leave Arsenal in the transfer window which opens on January 1. Sanchez, whose contract at Arsenal ends at the close of the season, showed his caliber to interested parties in scoring a second-half brace to give Arsenal a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace.
However, Wenger told Sky Sports that he is optimistic that Sanchez will extend his stay. “I am not fearful but as you said that will be a subject that arises because of his contractual situation,” said Wenger. “I can only repeat what I said until now.”
Wenger, whose side are level on points with fourth-placed with rivals Tottenham Hotspur, said it is was logical he should be questioned about 29-year-old Sanchez’s future. “I never questioned his commitment but when you have his contract situation and have as a good a game, people question you,” the 68-year-old Frenchman told the BBC.
No clue over his future
However, Wenger admitted he is clueless where Sanchez’s future lies. Sanchez’s commitment has been questioned this season following his failure to reach agreement with the north London club about an extension to his current contract. Wenger believes the player’s performance at Selhurst Park showed his flair, but with the January transfer window about to open, he has no idea about the player’s next move.
“First of all nobody knows what will happen really,” said Wenger. “It’s difficult to speculate. At the moment we are focused on short-term, that means the next game (against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday) with the players committed and ready to fight. It’s not a guarantee of how long you stay somewhere. As long as you are somewhere, you give your best,” said Wenger.
“I felt he was very good tonight from the first minute on, focused on the game. This kind of Sanchez is a great football player, as we know. That’s the kind of performance we want from him,” he added.
