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Alexis Sanchez: Arsene Wenger denies forward wants to leave Arsenal

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments182

Alexis Sanchez
"The players have contracts and we expect them to respect their contracts" - Arsene Wenger

Alexis Sanchez has not told Arsene Wenger he wants to leave the club, says the Gunners boss who "expects" the Chile striker to see out his contract.

The 28-year-old has one year left on his deal at the Emirates.

However, it has been reportedexternal-link that Sanchez has said he wants to join Arsenal's Premier League rivals Manchester City.

Asked whether Sanchez had told him that he wanted to leave the club, the Frenchman said: "No."

Wenger added: "The players have contracts and we expect them to respect their contracts. That's what we want."

Sanchez joined Arsenal from Barcelona for about £35m in the summer of 2014.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger (left) in Sydney
Arsenal play two pre-season friendlies in Sydney this week, against Sydney FC on Thursday and Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday

'All of Europe has a red carpet open for Mbappe'

Wenger, who is in Australia with the Arsenal squad for a pre-season tour, also spoke of his admiration for Monaco forward Kylian Mbappe.

The 18-year-old has been the subject of transfer speculation after a stunning breakthrough season in which he scored 29 goals in 31 starts last term.

"He's a player who, when he gets up in the morning, can chose where he wants to go," said Wenger.

"There are not many players with that kind of luck because he's 18 years of age and all of Europe has a red carpet open for him.

"Nobody can say he is not interested in a player of that calibre, all the clubs are interested in him."

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182 comments

  • Comment posted by Johnvaughan1965, at 11:32 11 Jul 2017

    @1. Come on man - Wenger signed a two year deal - get over the Wenger out stuff!. He isn't going anywhere so get behind him. He is spending money this summer and if Sanchez stays this is shaping up to be a good squad that is more than capable of challenging for the title.

  • Comment posted by thepoet, at 11:36 11 Jul 2017

    The football season has not started and we already have a Arsenal supporter complaining.

    Arsenal Wegner record:

    3 premier titles
    7 FA Cups (a record)
    6 community shields

    Stadium built by Arsenal Wegner
    A healthy bank balance for the club.
    Year in year out playing in Europe (exception for the this season)
    Great record in buying players and selling for profits.
    Exciting team.

  • Comment posted by T_bam81, at 11:48 11 Jul 2017

    @kieranthegod

    Lacazette would never have signed for Arsenal had it not been for Wenger.

    "I like clubs with a history. Also the fact that the manager has been here for a while shows it is a stable club, which I like."

    It shows that despite missing out on Europe, players still want to play for Wenger.

    Just get behind your team and stop moaning.

  • Comment posted by Rob, at 12:59 11 Jul 2017

    Screw this...I want to know what Lukaku had for breakfast.

  • Comment posted by 5leuth, at 11:37 11 Jul 2017

    I'd prefer he stayed, for the obvious reasons, but if he wants to go, jog on!
    Anybody still complaining about Arsene remaining, time to grow up.

  • Comment posted by User0682819042, at 13:05 11 Jul 2017

    Just compare the BBCs shameless crucifixion of Wenger to the endless sycophantic crawly bum lick given to Manure and lazy Lookaky.

    The BBC, acting as fanzine for Manchester Utd.

  • Comment posted by Phil Deggers, at 11:49 11 Jul 2017

    I've never really understood why anyone would leave a club like Arsenal for another premier league club, unless it's about money.

    Surely it's better to help Arsenal win trophies and become a club legend than be just another superstar at a different team.

    Even Rooney admitted that a trophy win at Everton would be the highlight of his career.

  • Comment posted by Paul, at 11:33 11 Jul 2017

    If Sanchez does not want to play for Arsenal then move him on. No player can hold a club to ransom and it hardly helps team unity when discontent is just below the surface. Arsenal has Wenger for two more years and there is a lot of disagreement about that, but given this is the situation Sanchez either puts up or goes.

  • Comment posted by webbeldez, at 11:35 11 Jul 2017

    There's only one Arsene Wenger!

    We have a great squad for this season, let's hope for a little bit silverware :)

    Co'mon you Gunners!

    @kieranthegod

    It's not YOUR club fella...you just watch 'em play. Try having a bit of pride in them for a change.

  • Comment posted by Come the Glorious Day, at 12:09 11 Jul 2017

    21.

    Unfortunately we don't know his view on whether Spurs can win the league because the whole room burst into non-stop laughter when he was asked.

  • Comment posted by D1679684273668, at 13:57 11 Jul 2017

    As a fellow red, 62, if Jurgen was with us for the next 20 years and delivered what Arsene has, I would be over the moon.

  • Comment posted by Freedom is not Free, at 11:36 11 Jul 2017

    If Sanchez wants to play and stays with Arsenal then they will have a good top 3 side .. but with a year on his contract, if you can get above the £50m, I think Arsenal will do better to get someone else more committed to the club ...

  • Comment posted by BASMANIAC, at 13:54 11 Jul 2017

    Just a thought for people here. I'm a Liverpool fan, & it seems to me that a lot of Arsenal fans don't appreciate what they have in a man like Wenger. 99% of football fans would kill for a record like Arsenal have had. OK no league titles recently, but 3 FA Cups in the last 4 years & a run of Champions League qualifications unmatched by any English team, & they think a new man will improve this?

  • Comment posted by kevin, at 13:16 11 Jul 2017

    I'm beginning to wonder if some posts are from people who actually watch football.
    We should sell Sanchez if we can get 50m blah blah.

    Sanchez isn't just good. He's absolutely outstanding and a credit to the game with his attitude. If Arsene does keep him at Arsenal it's no different than ManU signing Lukaku. Use the money you would have used to try to replace him to keep him. Simples.

  • Comment posted by Lacazette, at 12:39 11 Jul 2017

    Selling to City would be a big step backwards for us, we were a selling club, we no longer need to be. If the player wants to go then fine, sell him aboard and get younger talent in.

    Wenger is starting the make the right moves, if you truly support the club, stop moaning and actually support the club.

    Up the Gunners!!!

  • Comment posted by User0966099113, at 13:30 11 Jul 2017

    Do you know what this season is going to come down to? Bad refereeing decisions. It's criminal that we do not have video assistance for referees this season when the technology is available. So many big hitters! Chelsea, Man City, Man United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, all title contenders, and it's going to be decided by who gets the most decisions their way. Massive shame!

  • Comment posted by Football_understand, at 14:15 11 Jul 2017

    @66 Alot can happen.....its only the 11th July, dont believe what you read in the tabloids, Arsenal always keep everything extremely private with matters like this....

    I am very confident Ox will sign a new deal, and believe it or not i think Sanchez will to, Ozil will also i believe.

    If not, then they leave, club moves on, new players come in. Arsenal FC will still be a giant

  • Comment posted by LUFCAT, at 12:40 11 Jul 2017

    AW has his poker face on. A good offer from Europe and Sanchez will be gone. Football is a team game and for all Sanchez is a good player he doesn't seem to be a team player.

  • Comment posted by User0481819961, at 14:46 11 Jul 2017

    Remind me what Liverpool and Spurs won last season?

  • Comment posted by WGCGoon, at 11:37 11 Jul 2017

    @1. He's here to stay for 2 more years so stop whinging and support the team, lots of other fans would be more than happy with 3 FA Cups in 4 years!

    If we can keep Sanchez and buy Lemar then we're looking good I reckon, COYG!

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