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Decision on Sanchez in 48 hours says Wenger
BOURNEMOUTH, United Kingdom, Jan 15, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Arsene Wenger
confirmed he expects Alexis Sanchez’s future to be resolved imminently after
the Arsenal forward was left out of his side’s 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth.
Sanchez, who becomes free agent at the end of this season, is a target for
Manchester United and Manchester City who came close to signing the Chile
international on the final day of the last transfer window.
United have emerged as strong contenders because of their willingness to
meet Arsenal’s o35 million ($48 million, 39 million euros) asking price, with
the possibility of Henrikh Mkhitaryan being included as part of any deal.
Wenger insists all options remain open but felt unable to select the player
for the visit to the Vitality Stadium although he insisted Sanchez was
willing to play.
“Alexis would have played,” said the Arsenal manager. “But it’s a difficult
period for him. He’s always been committed until now but he could have moved
yesterday, today or not.
“It will be decided in the next 48 hours. It was a bit difficult for him
because he was on stand-by, a little bit. That’s why I decided not to do it.
He did not refuse to play.”
Asked if a deal was imminent, Wenger said: “I don’t master the rhythm of
that but it could happen today, tomorrow or not at all. That’s why I didn’t
take a decision (to select him)…I didn’t want to travel with him and
suddenly he goes somewhere.”
Wenger, who criticised his side’s lack of cutting edge as they squandered a
number of chances before allowing Bournemouth to recover from falling behind
to Hector Bellerin’s opening goal to win through strikes from Callum Wilson
and Jordon Ibe, insisted he would recruit a new forward to replace Sanchez if
the forward left.
“Look, if Sanchez goes we need to replace him,” he said. “I say when you
look at today, we missed many players in our squad. And you say that they
have a weight in the team.
“If players like Sanchez go, we have of course to respond to it. Will he go
or not, I don’t know, but at the moment, it’s transfer period and in this
kind of periods, you try to use the players who are completely focused on
being at the club.”
– ‘Nothing concrete’ on Malcom –
Arsenal have been linked with a o35 million move for Bordeaux forward
Malcom but Wenger refused to confirm his interest in the Brazilian.
“No. There is nothing concrete there,” said the manager. And when pressed
on whether the 20-year-old is a target, he added: “It’s better I don’t come
out on any specific name.”
Bournemouth moved up to 13th place, four points clear of the bottom three
on the back of the win, and manager Eddie How praised the contribution of
match-winner Ibe who scored his first league goal for the club, 18 months
after arriving from Liverpool.
“I’m really pleased for him,” said Howe. “He’s been knocking on the door
recently, hit the woodwork, his numbers are very good for him this year and
I’m really pleased that’s out of the way for him now and hopefully it can be
the first of many.
“I just think it is another thing he can take confidence from. I genuinely
believe he can have a major impact at this level. I think he has with his
general performances recently but of course you need that feeling that only
scoring can give you.
“It’s a unique feeling and I’m so pleased he’s got that today and that he’s
won an important two points for us. You can underestimate the importance of
this game and that goal how important it is.”
BSS/AFP/MSY/0910 hrs