WENGER SAYS SANCHEZ SITUATION DIFFERENT FROM VAN PERSIE’S

Arsenal long time manager Arsene Wenger says the Alexis Sanchez situation at the club is different from the Robin van Persie situation before the Dutchman finally left to join rivals Manchester United.

The current talisman for the Gunners Sanchez wants to exit the club and Manchester City is the most likely destination.

Sanchez’s deal has entered its final 12 months so Wenger and the Arsenal management must decide to sell him off for a big pay day or force him to continue and see off his contract and risk him walking for free next year.

Pep Guardiola and his City team know this so they are hoping the situation all plays out in their favour. Guardiola admires the Chile international and wants him to join his side in the quest for the Premier League and Champions League titles.

“Every case is different. Van Persie was going from 30 to 31, when he left he had one year on his contract. Sanchez is younger,” Wenger explained from the team’s preseason venue in Shanghai.

In truth, Van Persie was just few days past his 29th birthday when he moved switched from north London to Manchester. Sanchez is set to turn 29 this year and like RVP he is entering the final year of his contract. After deliberation and bickering, the Red Devils paid £24 million for RVP but the Gunners are now willing to allow £50 million go down the drain than sell Sanchez to a rival. Hard lessons after RVP handed United the needed boost to lift the 2013 league title.

Wenger also maintained the same stance for Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas yet both stars eventually left for Man City and Barcelona eventually. By January, Sanchez can sign pre-contract and it would all be over. The Chilean has a strong footing in the national team so even if he gives less than his best, he would make the 2018 World Cup. Arsenal are the ones that are at a disadvantage.