It would appear that Alexis Sanchez' days at Arsenal are increasingly numbered, with reports from the club today portraying him in a far-from-flattering light. Sanchez was mysteriously dropped by Arsene Wenger for yesterday's surrender against Liverpool, with Arsenal only flickering into life once Alexis was introduced for the second-half.
Before the game, it was confirmed that there was no issue with fitness, with idle speculations that he was being kept in reserve for the Champions League tie with Bayern Munich undermined by the fact that the tie is over.
Wenger stated the dropping of Alexis was partly down to a change in approach: the selection of Olivier Giroud betraying a desire to go more direct, and navigate Liverpool's famed high press.
A story in the Mirror by John Cross - a journalist with a good reputation for covering Arsenal - claims that the dropping of Alexis was not tactically motivated, however. The report claims that Alexis was dropped over his attitude problems, stemming from his behaviour in the 5-1 hammering at Bayern; a game he spent in paroxysms of anger and gesticulation at the limits of his teammates.
Here's the relevant line from the piece:
Wenger was furious with Sanchez for being selfish, turning on his team-mates both out on the pitch and after the game.
That has continued in training, with Sanchez’s attitude and work-rate both being questioned behind the scenes because he has become increasingly difficult to manage.
It is understood there have been several rows with the 28-year-old, because Wenger feels it has been affecting the rest of the squad.
The same report states that Alexis has asked to leave the club, with PSG the favourites to land him, although Juventus and Atletico Madrid are mentioned as potential destinations, too. Also in the report is a claim that Arsene Wenger has agreed a two-year contract extension with the club, but is yet to sign it, with sources close to Wenger claiming that it is 50-50 as to whether he extends his stay at the club.
So while doubt clouds Wenger's future, Alexis' future is becoming ever clearer.
[Mirror]
