Arsène Wenger backs Alexis Sánchez to stay despite bench role at Chelsea

Arsène Wenger said his decision to omit Alexis Sánchez from Arsenal’s starting lineup at Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final was not related to Manchester City’s attempt to sign the forward this month.

Sánchez came on in the 66th minute of the 0-0 first leg draw and Wenger not only praised his attitude but expressed a confidence the Chilean would remain at Arsenal after the January window. City have indicated a willingness to pay £20m for Sánchez, who is out of contract at Arsenal in the summer.

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Wenger was disappointed to lose Jack Wilshere to an ankle ligament injury, which he suggested did not look too serious, but it was the subject of Sánchez that dominated the fallout from the tie.

“The team selection had nothing to do with the transfer market,” Wenger said. “I have not to justify every decision I make. Am I confident he will stay in January? Yes. That’s what I want and I want him to stay for longer. When he came on, you could see he created straight away danger. We have to accept as well when you play so many games and Sánchez plays every game that sometimes a breather in the middle of the season helps a little bit.

“Sánchez is a guy who is completely focused to play football. You see how he warmed up and how he came on? Like a player who wants to play football and he can make a difference between what’s going on outside and what’s going on on the football pitch. We live with facts, not with psychological theories and the fact is, when you turn out on the pitch, you play football and you give 100%. That’s what he does.

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“I have no problem. Does he sign now or does he sign in June? The only thing I want to say is the performance and commitment of Sánchez does not depend on the duration of his contract. If I play the next game for Arsenal, it doesn’t matter how long my contract has to go. I want to win the game and I commit [in that game] like I stay forever.”

On Wilshere, Wenger said: “He has an ankle sprain and the first look at it was not too bad. But of course for Sunday [at Bournemouth], I think he will be short. It’s a shame to lose him when he’s in such a good form.”

Wenger included his new signing Konstantinos Mavropanos among his substitutes and he said that, having first thought of loaning out the 20-year-old centre-half, he now wanted to keep him.

“I personally want to keep him until May – to know him better and assess his level,” Wenger said. “The first signs he has shown in training were so encouraging I decided to keep him until May.”