Former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard believes Arsene Wenger should have shown more authority if Alexis Sanchez did step out of line before the Gunners’ match against Liverpool at the weekend.
The Chilean was left on the bench for the encounter with numerous reports suggesting that the the 28 year old had a row with the Arsenal staff. Wenger denied these stories in his press conference yesterday but talking on Sky Sports Monday Night Football (quotes via the Mirror), Lampard says he feels Wenger has given a half-hearted response to the situation:
“When you’re in that position that Arsenal are at the minute it becomes very difficult for a manager to deal with it. He’s tried to deal with it but he hasn’t really drawn a big line. He’s drawn a half-hearted line.”
The official explanation for why Sanchez was left out by Wenger was so the Gunners could play more direct with Olivier Giroud up front. It is not known whether any other reason lay behind the selection decision but it has prompted heightened speculation that Sanchez’s time at the Emirates has come to an end.
The player’s contract expires in 15 months time and there has been no sign of a breakthrough in negotiations over a new deal in recent weeks. Whatever the truth, it seems clear that Sanchez will be leaving the club this summer unless contract talks lead to an agreement in the near future.
