Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez workplace hazards worth it

Alexis Sanchez is supposedly a ‘workplace hazard’ of sorts, according to Lee DIxon among others, but isn’t it all worth it?

Arsenal’s contract stand-off with Alexis Sanchez, and with every other player needing a contract, is ongoing. No business is getting done but, thankfully, they brought in a legal expert to help iron out all the wrinkles in the negotiation process.

However, another narrative has been added to the conversation, although it is a narrative many have suspected for quite some time. And it comes from an Arsenal great, Lee Dixon.

The former Gunner fullback has pointed out that what we have suspected about working with Alexis is absolutely true – it’s tough. As in, he may not be the most conducive guy to be around. And if you look at the tantrums he has been known to throw, that’s easy to see.

Before I get too far, here is most of what Dixon had to say, you can read the full quote over at the Metro:

"He’s not easy to work with from what I’ve heard. He’s quite difficult to work with on the training pitch. He’s quite moody, certainly in training from the feedback I’ve got from Arsenal he’s difficult in the dressing room. I think Pep Guardiola has mentioned that as well, he’s a difficult character to deal with."

That’s pretty telling. It’s also pretty intense. And it definitely at least adds a new wrinkle to this whole process. Do we consider Alexis so invaluable that we’d excuse his toxicity around other players?

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While I most certainly cannot speak for everyone, my answer is a definitive “hell yeah.”

The toxicity is definitely something that can be a problem. Obviously. But that’s not the big issue here. The big issue is the lack of success that the Gunners are having these days. In the end, that is what has contributed to Alexis’s tantrums mostly.

If you cure that, you cure a big part of the problem. He will have no reason to gripe if there is nothing to grip about. I mean… of course he will, especially if Aaron Ramsey is still around, but the major problems will be eliminated.

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Plus, this ‘workplace hazard’ per say should not effect the other plays as much as they want it to seem. They need to have ‘mental toughness’ after all, and maybe a bit of snarkiness from Alexis every so often will scare them straight.

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