Wenger laments ‘excessive’ Sanchez; warns Chile star

Arsene Wenger says the future of Alexis Sanchez will be decided by Arsenal and denied having a bust-up with the Chile star.

Sanchez was surprisingly omitted from the starting line-up for Saturday’s Premier League defeat at Anfield, which the Gunners lost 3-1.

Reports have suggested the Sanchez, who has yet to commit himself to a new deal, had a bust-up with Wenger after walking out of a training session in the build up to the game at Anfield.

He was introduced at half-time on Saturday and obliged by laying on Danny Welbeck’s goal, but it wasn’t enough as the Gunners were beaten.

Sanchez though, whose contract expires in June 2018, will not be allowed to dictate his future, according to Wenger.

“He has 15 months left on his contract.

“The decision will depend completely on Arsenal football club,” said Wenger.

Wenger also insisted reports of a fall out with the 28-year-old were “completely false”.

Wenger, who was pictured shaking hands with Sanchez before training on Monday, said: “I am not aware, nothing at all.

“I explained after the game I decided to go for a more direct option, that was the unique reason for my decision.”

Asked directly if the reports were true, Wenger said: “Completely false. I understand you have to fill newspapers.”

He also refused to confirm whether the forward would return to the starting line-up against Bayern Munich.

“I haven’t decided yet,” added Wenger. “What does it mean, the definition? What is a happy person?

“I hope he will be very happy tomorrow night.”

And the Gunners boss then criticised Sanchez and referring to his body language, claimed: “Sometimes his behaviour is excessive.

“All the rest, his attitude – he’s a committed player and sometimes has excessive behaviours but you have that many times in the history of every squad.

“It’s about the team performance, not individuals. It’s a team sport and the most important thing is that we focus on our collective. Our game is built on collective expression.

“That is the most important thing, that we focus on what’s important and not the individual. Alexis played in all the games and when we didn’t perform away from home, we lost as well.

“We lost at Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea, and that’s what I think is the most important thing, to focus and produce as a team.”

The 28-year-old trained with the squad as normal on the eve of the Bayern clash and shook hands with Wenger as he made his way onto the club’s London Colney training pitch.

While Wenger said he had not decided whether to reinstate Sanchez into his side for the game against Bayern, the player posted on Instagram shortly after the conclusion of the press conference, showing three pictures of him in his

Arsenal kit and with a cryptic message which he ended with a note to supporters.

“The true warrior fights not because he hates the ones in front of him, but because he loves those behind him. Let’s go Gunners. The only failure is not trying,” he wrote.