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The Reason Alexis Sanchez Was Dropped Against Liverpool Is Very Worrying

The Reason Alexis Sanchez Was Dropped Against Liverpool Is Very Worrying

The Chilean also stormed out of training

Joe Baiamonte

Joe Baiamonte

Arsene Wenger has taken his fair share of criticism for dropping Alexis Sanchez for yesterday's 3-1 defeat to Liverpool but reports have emerged tonight which indicate that the Arsenal manager may have been justified in making the decision.

The Telegraph are tonight reporting that Sanchez was involved in a furious bust up with several of his teammates during a recent training session and stormed out of training altogether, forcing Wenger's hand.

The 28-year-old apparently left the session early, prompting several Gunners' players to confront him in the dressing room, at which point a huge argument erupted, causing Wenger to step into diffuse the situation.

Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez

Individually, Sanchez has enjoyed another productive season, yet it's still been another campaign of frustration in North London, for the Chilean. Image: PA

The Frenchman deemed that Sanchez was in the wrong for his unprofessional attitude to training and decided a fitting punishment would be to drop his star man to the bench. The decision is believed to have been supported by many of the Arsenal players.

What was noticeable, though, was how Sanchez's introduction at half time did visibly lift Arsenal at Anfield, yesterday evening. The Chile international laid on Danny Welbeck's goal to reduce the deficit to 2-1, although a late Gini Wijnaldum strike ensured all three points remained on Merseyside. Many questioned as to whether this proved that Sanchez should have indeed started the game, thus giving Wenger's men more impetus from the beginning.


Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez

Sanchez watches on as Arsenal slump to a 2-0 half time deficit. Image: PA

Wenger told the press on Saturday evening that Sanchez's absence from the starting XI was a 'tactical decision' but it would now seem as though he was in fact punishing the former Barcelona and Udinese man, whose attitude has been called into question on numerous occasions, this season.

Sanchez has argued with Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during matches, while also being chastised himself, by Mesut Ozil, for failing to acknowledge the travelling supporters after last month's 3-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.


Credit: @AlexWheatley

Some fans have defended Sanchez's attitude as passion and a desire to get the best out of those around him, as the Gunners struggle domestically and on the continent, yet again, with only the FA Cup and a top four finish to realistically play for, this season.

It's no secret that contract talks between Sanchez and the Arsenal board have reached a stalemate in recent months, with the Gunners heirachy unwilling to meet the Chilean's wage demands, thought to be in excess of £200,000 per week.

Out of contract in the summer of next year and with the likes of Juventus and Chelsea seriously interested in his services, it may be that this latest incident forces Arsenal to seriously consider cashing in on their star man while they still can.

(H/T The Telegraph)


Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football, Alexis Sanchez, Arsene Wenger, Arsenal