Arsenal: Breaking Bank For Mardy Star Foolish

Arsenal are reportedly prepared to break the bank to re-sign Alexis Sanchez. Given his mardy behaviour, that may be a foolish move.

During the many protests that fans have produced throughout the recent struggling times, there was one poster that caught my eye in particular. It stated: ‘Arsenal, not Arsene.’ Now that is clearly a statement against the reign of Arsene Wenger and in support of Arsenal the club. But there is a deeper lying meaning to the banner.

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At its heart, it claims that nothing or no one is bigger than the club. It is usually an opinion that applies to players rather than managers: ‘No player is bigger than the club’ is a perspective that, while true, you will hear during controversial and turbulent contract negotiations with the star players of every club.

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And that is exactly the scenario that Arsenal find themselves in as this friction-filled season comes to an end. The contract negotiations that have lingered on between the club, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are yet to be resolved and there is still much uncertainty and doubt engulfing the futures of both players. With just one year remaining on their current deals from the end of the season, if Wenger wants to keep them in North London, then a new contract will have to be agreed upon.

But given the difficulties that all parties have toiled through thus far, there is still a long way to go if a deal is to be struck. The latest reports suggest that Arsenal are set to break the bank for Sanchez, offering him a £300,000-a-week contract that would lead the Premier League and its many stars.

However, while many fans may be pleased with the news given the importance, the influence and the success of Sanchez, especially in his latest season, it may not be the wisest investment. Very much like the message the banner wanting Wenger to leave sends, the club should be the first and foremost priority of every decision that is made.

Sanchez, though, has been someone who has not put the team first. He has stropped when substituted, had bust-ups in training with his teammates and more recently, has not played with the same relentless effort and intense pressing that has characterised his game throughout his Gunners career so far.

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Re-signing Sanchez would undoubtedly be positive for the team. But offering him such eye-watering sums of money may not be the wisest decision. The club must always come first and Sanchez may be too selfish for that to ever be the case.