Alexis Sanchez reaction to Arsenal draw was welcome change from norm, says Arsene Wenger

Alexis Sanchez reaction to Arsenal draw at Bournemouth was welcome change from norm, says Arsene Wenger
Sanchez threw his gloves off in frustration after the final whistle at Bournemouth Credit: Reuters

Arsene Wenger has welcomed Alexis Sanchez’s furious reaction to Arsenal’s 3-3 draw against Bournemouth and says that displays of player anger – both publicly and behind closed doors – have become a rarity in modern football.

Sanchez threw down his gloves and stormed off the pitch at the final whistle and was earlier also seen shouting in frustration at team-mate Aaron Ramsey.

It has prompted fears that Sanchez is disenchanted with life at Arsenal amid ongoing contract talks, but Wenger does not see any wider significance to the outburst and is adamant that there were previously far more explosive exchanges between players.

“We live in a world where you want action,” said Wenger.

“I don’t look too much at how people talk; I look how much they want to win. In this job I have seen a lot between players. The only difference now is it is all analysed and all on camera. Much less happens than before. Everybody is camera conscious. Before, in the corridors up to the game, or after the game, a lot more happened. When something happens like that people are surprised but, for me, that is part of the game. He [Sanchez] can have sometimes emotional reactions but face to face he is always very respectful.”

The contrast in reaction between Sanchez and Olivier Giroud was certainly still stark. While Giroud became preoccupied with his ‘scorpion’ celebration after scoring Arsenal’s 92nd minute equaliser, Sanchez and most of the other players were clearly still desperate to get on and win the game.

Wenger agreed that Giroud should not have wasted time but was forgiving of his reaction and adamant that he shares Sanchez’s mentality.

“Giroud is a winner as well; he is a fighter,” said Wenger. “I can understand Giroud. He thought the game was lost, it was 92 minutes. You score. You don’t lose. We can understand that but, ideally, you want not to waste time any more. He scores goal after goal and he scores important goals.

Olivier Giroud
Giroud celebrates his equaliser while Sanchez (right) jogs back for another kick off Credit: getty Images

“They care as much as he [Sanchez] does. Everybody has his way. The players are frustrated. There was no celebration in the dressing-room; everybody was disappointed. There is no hierarchy of intensity or desire to win at that level.”

Wenger will now rest Sanchez for Saturday's FA Cup tie against Preston North End, when Petr Cech, Mesut Ozil and Laurent Koscielny will also be left out.

“They are human beings; you have to give them a breather at some stage,” said Wenger. “Mentally and physically. At the moment he [Sanchez] is a bit jaded.”

Mesut Ozil
Ozil will sit out again this weekend Credit:  Getty Images

A more immediate problem for Wenger is that he now has only two remaining fit central midfielders after confirmation that Francis Coquelin is out for up to four weeks with a hamstring injury and Santi Cazorla is making slow progress in his comeback from ankle surgery.

With Mohamed Elneny at the African Cup of Nations and Jack Wilshere on loan to Bournemouth, it all leaves Granit Xhaka and Ramsey as Wenger’s only two senior specialists.

 “At the moment, Santi is far [from returning],” said Wenger. “It’s not going as quickly as I imagined. I just have a schedule that he is not planned at the moment to go outside and run. I think once a player goes outside and runs without any problems, you count six weeks.”

Danny Welbeck
Danny Welbeck could be back in first team action this weekend Credit: Getty Images

Ozil did report for training on Thursday for the first time in two weeks following a throat virus, while Lucas Perez’s ankle injury might mean selecting Danny Welbeck for the first time this season.

“Physically his fitness is at quite a good level, but of course the ideal way is to give him two or three games with the under-23s,” said Wenger.

“We will play with 90 per cent of the squad. The FA Cup is a big priority for us. We have shown historically that we care about it.” 

Wenger is not expecting much transfer activity in January but will listen to offers for Mathieu Debuchy and Carl Jenkinson. The club have also signed left-back Cohen Bramall for £40,000 from non-league Hednesford following a successful trial and, although there is no expectation of him figuring this season, it remains a position that Wenger does want to strengthen.

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