Martin Keown gives verdict on Arsenal manager’s latest comments about Alexis Sanchez
The Arsenal legend believes Arsene Wenger is hoping to get the best out of Alexis Sanchez until Arsenal sell their striker in January
Martin Keown believes Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is ready to sell Alexis Sanchez in the January transfer window.
The Gunners forward has entered the final 12 months of his current contract at the north London club after failing to agree to an extended deal.
Sanchez was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City in the summer but a deal fell through on transfer deadline day as Arsenal were unable to sign Thomas Lemar as his replacement.
The South American will be free to speak to potential suitors in the January transfer window and could leave Arsenal on a free transfer next summer.
The Premier League leaders continued to be linked with a move to sign Sanchez and the Gunners could still recoup some of the £35m transfer fee if Wenger allows his prized asset to leave in January.
Wenger conceded in his pre-match media conference at London Colney on Thursday that the South American could leave in the next transfer window.
And Arsenal legend Keown interpretated Wenger’s latest comment as a motivating tool for Sanchez to give his best to the Arsenal cause over the next two months or so.
Keown told the Daily Mail: “The message from Arsene Wenger to Alexis Sanchez today was: ‘Give me until January, and then you can go.’
“Wenger is clearly anticipating that Sanchez will be very low when he returns from the international break.
“Sanchez has been trying to leave for the last year or so, was unable to get his move on deadline day and now Chile have not qualified for the World Cup.
“To finally hear that he can leave in a matter of months is the news that he will have been craving.”
Sanchez scored 24 times in 37 games in the Premier League last season.
