In many ways you have to admire Arsene Wenger’s ability to divide fans like no other manager in Premier League history as to some he’s a legend to others a man who’s completely lost touch with reality with his recent comments on Alexis Sanchez causing more debate.
There’s been speculation about Sanchez’s future all season with Chelsea being linked with the former Barcelona star who has a year and a half left on his Arsenal contract.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s home clash against West Ham United, Wenger noted:
“I don’t understand that debate [on Sanchez]. Our job is to perform as long as we are here.
“I do not understand this kind of anxiety, it is absolutely denying what a professional guy is about.”
Those words will have done little to convince many Arsenal fans worried their best player may be about to leave in the summer while some may understand why the manager is trying to play down Sanchez’s departure talk, especially at such a critical part of the season.
Sunday’s 2-2 draw with City may have silenced some of Wenger’s critics but it’s not the kind of result that suddenly has everyone backing you and should the manager stay past the summer, then keeping Sanchez must surely be his top priority.
Here’s how Arsenal fans on social media reacted to Wenger’s comments:
@SkyFootball No club other than Arsenal let’s a star players contract run this low. NONE!
— Just G (@Just_G88) April 4, 2017
@SkyFootball Er…maybe it’s because we’ve seen it so many times: player has 12 months left so we end up with no choice to sell.
— Chris Goss (@Chriskgoss) April 4, 2017
@SkyFootball I’m more anxious about Wenger staying than Sanchez leaving
— stephen dunne (@stevieboydunne) April 4, 2017
@talkSPORT It’s not like Arsenal have a history of losing our best players to rival clubs
— Lewis Ward (@LewisWard94) April 4, 2017
If Sanchez leaves Arsenal, it wont be because of Wenger. It will be because of vile and cretinous fans that we have in our fanbase.
— Esömönu AFC (@Col_Casi) April 4, 2017
@ArsenalNewsUK if sanchez leaves ,it will be the downfall of wenger
— MICHAEL O’NEILL (@MICHAEL22448117) April 4, 2017
Look at this complete and utter drivel. Word salad. #NoNewContract #WengerOut pic.twitter.com/MpkoeQO0Mb
— Shahid (@BitchesLeave) April 4, 2017