Arsenal: ‘Animal’ Alexis Sanchez Still Not Fully Uncaged

Arsene Wenger likened Alexis Sanchez to an animal, but this ‘beast’ won’t be fully uncaged until Arsenal cross that final threshold.

Arsenal’s win over Manchester City is doing its part to lift everyone’s spirits and Arsene Wenger is no exception. Le Prof even spoke out about Alexis Sanchez‘s contract situation with a ton of confidence. His words (as quoted by SkySports):

"Alexis Sanchez was like the team. He had problems to start and became stronger and stronger. He is an animal, always ready to kill the opponent. He will never give up. He will be here next year because he has a contract and hopefully we will manage to extend."

There are always new creative ways to describe Alexis and Wenger has touched on one such way here. Of course, if he is this hungry animal, then he is still at least partially caged by the pressure that is constantly on him.

There is still pressure to lift this team, to get them over that hump. Once he has done that, he is going to have complete freedom. He will have accomplished what he came to accomplish and he will reach the pinnacle of his footballing existence. It sounds like a magical place, so I hope that Alexis can get there with Arsenal.

Alexis always wants more, and even when (not if) he accomplishes his objective of winning a Premier League title with Arsenal, there will always be more to do.

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But there is a clear distinction here that must be noted. Alexis is currently on the fence (of his cage) because he doesn’t know where his future lies. Especially considering how the Gunners have not reached the peaks they were supposed to. But once they touch that peak, that pressure of not knowing his future and not knowing if he should stay or go, will be lifted.

Ideally, that means he will have fewer games where he tries to do far too much. He will have far fewer spats with his team mates. And he will have far more fun, he will be far more loose (in a good way) and fluid on the pitch. Again, relieving the mind of its primary stress inducer works wonders for productivity.

It’s hard to think of Alexis becoming even more dynamic than he is now, but releasing him from the burden of drought would do just that. He would have new life and nothing to hold him back.

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If he leaves without accomplishing what he came here to do, I can’t help but feel he may never get over that last hurdle into true footballing freedom.