Alexis Sanchez scored twice in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Thursday night (Picture: Getty)
Alexis Sanchez scored twice in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Thursday night (Picture: Getty)

Hector Bellerin has hit back at suggestions that Alexis Sanchez and Laurent Koscielny have fallen out.

The Chile international scored twice during Arsenal’s 3-1 at Crystal Palace on Thursday night to keep Arsenal within touching distance of the top four.

Sanchez is out of contract in the summer and appears intent on leaving the Gunners, whether it be in January or at the end of the season, with Manchester City his most likely destination.

The 29-year-old’s attitude has been called into question in recent weeks following a number of subdued performances but he returned to a semblance of his best form with a smartly taken brace at Selhurst Park.

Despite his matchwinning contribution, Arsene Wenger was forced to address accusations that Sanchez had fallen out with his teammates, some of whom opted not to join in the celebrations after the former Barcelona forward had put his side 2-1 ahead, with Laurent Koscielny remaining alone in his own half.

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Bellerin, one of the few players who did join in with Sanchez’s celebrations, appeared to brush off rumours of a rift by retweeting a picture of Koscileny congratulating Sanchez, taken by Arsenal’s official photographer following Arsenal’s second goal.

After the game, Wenger also spoke about Sanchez’s future, saying:  ‘First of all nobody knows what will happen really

‘It’s difficult to speculate. At the moment we are focused on short-term, that means the next game (against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday) with the players committed and ready to fight.

‘It’s not a guarantee of how long you stay somewhere. As long as you are somewhere, you give your best.

‘I felt he was very good tonight from the first minute on, focused on the game. This kind of Sanchez is a great football player, as we know. That’s the kind of performance we want from him.’