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Alexis Sanchez’s New Deal Is Arsenal’s New Signing
By Josh Sippie
The Sun is reporting that Alexis Sanchez is on the brink of a massive new deal that will be worth around £40 million. The Arsenal man has hit the ground running in the Premier League as he has netted 26 times thus far into his English career. He has even shown his ability to literally carry Arsenal on his back. As such, his reported wage increase from £130,000 a week to £150,000 plus add-ons makes sense.
Related: Is Alexis Sanchez One Of Arsene Wenger’s 10 Best Signings?
Mesut Ozil is currently in talks to sign a new deal too, but it is the Chilean’s payday that will supposedly come first.
The timing of this is perfect. Real Madrid and Manchester United had both been knocking at Arsenal’s door hoping for a piece of the Alexis Sanchez action but the Chilean has time and again noted how much he loves the Arsenal way and how much he enjoys playing under Arsene Wenger. Sometimes words don’t say enough though.
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Of course, with each penny spent, Arsene Wenger moves further and further away from a new signing. It has been awhile since Arsenal fans have felt the sensation of seeing a new star holding up his new Arsenal kit. And Petr Cech’s doesn’t count, that’s a goofy keeper kit.
But since the deal is worth near £40 million, Wenger could very easily point to that wad of cash and say ‘look, we are spending money to solidify our current crop.’ To a certain extent, that is admirable and charming. But at the same time, Arsenal is still a major injury liability. They are just a signing or two away from being solidified. All that Wenger needs to do is purchase a midfielder. A true defensive midfielder. There are still options out there.
But with a deal like this for Alexis Sanchez and a new deal likely to follow with Mesut Ozil, you have to question if that is his intention. In his eyes, he is often criticized for not spending money. I have the sneaking suspicion that to him, this counts as spending money. If that is the case and he goes through the winter transfer period without signing anyone and then fails to win a trophy, the Wenger Out Army will be swarming.
Next: Ranking Arsenal's Top 5 Midfield Transfer Options
Don’t get me wrong, this contract was well-deserved for Alexis Sanchez and hopefully it will quiet all those silly Manchester United rumors. But as sneaky as Wenger can be, I hope that he can differentiate between spending money to solidify the team with new contracts and spending money to solidify the team with reinforcement. This team needs reinforcement. Alexis Sanchez is still just one man.