Arsenal: Arsene Wenger Playing Risky Alexis Sanchez Game

Arsene Wenger is playing a risky game with Alexis Sanchez, potentially upsetting the Arsenal striker. This is why he is right to do so.

Man management is an aspect that modern day coaches must master. Unfortunately, the world of football is such that many of the better players are nothing more than mardy, spoilt brats – insert Cristiano Ronaldo. For Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, the opposite is true.

Such is the makeup of the Gunners’ squad, the competition, the rivalry for places and the fear of being dropped, Wenger has difficult selection decisions to make each and every week regarding his star players. Should he play them to secure the win or should they be rested to prolong their fitness for the whole season? Should he bring them off with 20 minutes remaining at the risk of upsetting them and the dressing room or should he keep them on with the risk of fatigue and injuries setting in?

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In the case of Alexis Sanchez, both questions are valid, particularly the latter. The Chilean has an often unhealthy need to play. A want and a hunger that is unquenchable. Thankfully, Wenger is acutely aware of this, in both the positive and negative light. When asked about subbing off Sanchez in recent games, Wenger highlighted the need for him to rest and recover, whether he’s happy or not:

"“For me he [Alexis Sanchez] is not a special case. He is a player like everybody else. When I decide to take him off, I take him off. There is no special case. He has his own character but he is not treated differently from everybody else. They all recognise it after the game but during the game they want to stay on the pitch. You want to play even when you are tired. I played him the other day against Swansea so I thought I would take him off when it is possible. We consider every case individually.”"

Firstly, being so upfront about the mechanics of managing his players is unlike Wenger. To be so honest regarding the issues that he has with Sanchez is surprising, and is somewhat risky. Sanchez has less than two years remaining on his contract and he and the club are yet to agree on a new deal.

There have been musings that he is unhappy with life at the Emirates and Wenger’s comments do not exactly endear himself to his star striker. The risk is in upsetting him, unsettling him and face the consequences of him wanting to leave. The reward, though, is far greater.

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Wenger must continue to rest Sanchez whenever he can. Now playing as a centre-forward, his importance to the side has only increased and with Lucas Perez now injured for a substantial period of time, attacking options are limited to Olivier Giroud, a player who, while effective, does not possess the same pace and intensity as Sanchez. Lose Sanchez and Arsenal are in big trouble. Thankfully, Wenger is aware of the danger.

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