Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez Showing Progress By Speaking Out

Jun 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chile forward Alexis Sanchez (7) in action against Panama in the group play stage of the 2016 Copa America Centenario at Lincoln Financial Field. Chile won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chile forward Alexis Sanchez (7) in action against Panama in the group play stage of the 2016 Copa America Centenario at Lincoln Financial Field. Chile won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Arsenal has a contract stand-off of sorts with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, yet the Chilean has been uncharacteristically outspoken about it.

Arsenal’s ongoing contract negotiations with Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are going to be the talk of the footballing world until their fate is decided. Nothing can alter that except for putting the pen to paper.

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But there are ways to alleviate the pressure and up until recently, it was only Mesut Ozil who was speaking out, saying how happy he was and reasserting his belief in the club and in Arsene Wenger.

Alexis Sanchez had remained painfully silent. Transfer rumors were rolling in and out and he said nothing.

You don’t have an obligation to say anything. Not everyone is Hector Bellerin, waiting for the next rumor he can shoot down. Still, it did a toll on our psyche as fans to hear nothing about how Alexis felt.

Well, recently that has changed. The Chilean has been outspoken in his desire to stay with the club. Whereas last year, following a storming-off moment, he criticized the club and his team mates, this time around he has done the opposite.

“I try to prove that I am an important player every day and game after game,” he said, via the Telegraph.

“I believe we have the players and the quality to win many things. I feel really happy and comfortable at the club. I want to give the fans a new title.”

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Pretty affirmative. And Alexis isn’t the kind of guy who is going to say things just to say things. He doesn’t waste words, just like he doesn’t waste effort on the pitch.

Again, nothing is going to calm us completely until that new deal is signed, but in the mean time, this will do nicely. There was a ton of backlash and controversy over Alexis’s pout-fest against Swansea, but the “this is a good thing” side of the argument won.

His storming off was a good thing. It just shows that he is more dedicated than ever to the Arsenal cause and more passionate than ever to bring home a trophy. You can’t teach that kind of belief and that kind of passion.

It came off poorly and he probably recognized that, but in the moment, all he wanted was to continue giving his all on the pitch. Being robbed of that, no matter the circumstance, had to disappoint him.

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Dare I say that I am more confident than ever that Alexis is going to sign a new deal?