Arsenal: Furious Alexis Sanchez Shows He Is The Problem

Alexis Sanchez again had a tantrum after Chile lost to Argentina. His repeated strops, both for Arsenal and his country, show that he is the problem.

The recent struggles of Arsenal have brought about much vociferous and heated debate. There is much uncertainty and worry surrounding a club that has traditionally been run with the highest of standards and utmost respect.

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The future of the manager, namely Arsene Wenger, is a topic that has divided the fanbase for many years, so much so that we suffered the embarrassment of seeing two rival planes, one with a banner in support, and the other with a banner protesting, the tenure of Wenger.

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Many of those who do support Wenger, even during such turbulent and tempestuous times, reason the issues that the club has straggled through recent months due to the underperformance of the squad, singling particular players – Francis Coquelin, Nacho Monreal, Olivier Giroud – as the cause for the team’s difficulties. Another player who has, surprisingly so, come under scrutiny is Alexis Sanchez and his recent behaviour perhaps suggests such gripes are justified.

Throughout the Gunners underwhelming run of form, during which they’ve won just three in nine, two against non-league opposition and the other being Hull City at home, Sanchez has cut an increasingly frustrated and exasperated figure, enjoying tantrums and strops on the sidelines when substituted, arguing with his teammates and even exacting bust-ups in training.

It is these outbursts of angst and anger that many have pointed to as infiltrating the harmony of the dressing room, something that Wenger has always prioritised throughout his 21-year tenure. Now Sanchez is not only harming the Arsenal dressing room, but also that of his national side, as shown in the above tweet.

It comes from Chile’s 1-0 loss to Argentina on Thursday night, a tie that was settled thanks to a Lionel Messi penalty. Sanchez, as he has done when playing for his club this season, reacted poorly. Some would suggest that it is a mere outpouring of his desperation to win; an outpouring of his mentality that is an antidote to Arsenal’s soft and often exposed underbelly.

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However, football is a team game. That is something that Sanchez is yet to learn. His furious responses to losses, while portraying a desire to win, also undermine the collective spirit of the team, something that Wenger, rightly, is unwilling to compromise.