Arsenal: Arsene Wenger Must Continue To Make Alexis Sanchez Sad

Alexis Sanchez has stated that Arsene Wenger makes him sad when he is subbed off. Wenger must continue to make the Arsenal star sad.

The physical demands of a long and arduous Premier League season are beginning to take their toll on the Arsenal squad. On Sunday against Spurs, the side lacked the same energy and sharpness of previous weeks, look particularly leggy in the second half.

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It is down to the management of Arsene Wenger to continue to rest and rotate his players to maintain their fitness, whether it makes them happy or not. Alexis Sanchez has when speaking to ESPN Brazil, highlighted his frustration when he is subbed off, stating:

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"“He told me to rest, but I don’t like to rest. Neither in the matches. I don’t like to be out, I get upset, I go home sad, because I train to play, I rest to play.  It’s my job and I do everything to perform at 100 per cent.”"

The freshness of the Chilean is something that must, and most certainly does, occupy the mind of Wenger. Sanchez has a definite tendency to push his body to its limits, regardless of whether it can handle the physical demands that he asks of it, and it is therefore down to Wenger to limit his game time, rest him whenever possible, and keep him fit for the whole season.

Wenger has also alluded to the positive influence of changing his position this season. In starting as a striker, Wenger believes that provides Sanchez with a focus for his energy, where he does not waste much of his efforts in the defensive side of the game, stating:

"“I play Sanchez in the middle because at the moment he scores goals, he has a quality of runs in behind and he’s less busy doing defensive work on the flanks. That allows him to contribute more to the offensive power of the team because today the full backs go forward and he uses a lot of energy in the flanks.”"

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While keeping your players happy is important. Keeping them fit is more important, and Wenger will need to continue to sadden Sanchez for the better of the club this coming season.