Arsenal: Dejected Alexis Sanchez Well On His Way Out

In Arsenal’s loss to Bayern Munich on Tuesday night, Alexis Sanchez was there in body, but not in spirit. He cut a dejected figure and is on his way out.

There were many issues with Arsenal’s performance against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night. The ease at which they collapsed under the pressure, especially once Laurent Koscielny was off the pitch; their naivety against an opponent in ruthless, attacking form; and their inability to finish chances when they were in the ascendency were all problems with their performance that must be ironed out moving forward.

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However, perhaps the greatest cause for concern came from the demeanour of one Alexis Sanchez. After being controversially dropped for the trip to Anfield on Saturday thanks to a reported training ground bust-up with Arsene Wenger and many other members of the squad, Wenger decided to reinstate his star man to the starting line up against Bayern.

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Throughout the 5-1 loss, Sanchez lacked the same intensity and energy that has come to personify his game since making the move to North London. That is not to say that the Chilean had a poor game. He was still the most threatening Arsenal attacker not named Theo Walcott, continued to drive forward with purpose and directness with the ball at his feet and probed the Bayern defence with a number of testing, forward-thinking passes.

However, defensively, he did not work with the same relentless, selfless attitude, his pressing lacked the usual intensity that he is known for and he looked as if, somehow, he didn’t care for winning, the exact character trait that has forged the division between himself, the manager and some of his teammates.

Sanchez, per all reports, is edging closer and closer to an exit this summer. With his contract winding down and his increasingly concerning behaviour in and around the club – this was only supported by a video circling of his appearing to laugh as Bayern scored their fifth goal on Tuesday – keeping hold of the Chilean is quickly becoming a task beyond Wenger and the club.

Ever since talks were delayed passed last summer, it was always an uphill battle for Arsenal to convince Sanchez to stay at a club that is not matching his ambition. Now, that hill has grown rather significantly.

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Sanchez will likely leave North London in the summer. The priority for Wenger and the club now is to maximise the money that they receive and to then reinvest it wisely in a capable replacement, and knowing the Gunners, that is far from guaranteed.