Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez bombshell isn’t really all that big of a deal

Alexis Sanchez has publicly declared that he would like to play in the Champions League, something that Arsenal cannot offer him. Many media outlets are overblowing the significance of the statement. Why should we be surprised that a player of Sanchez’s calibre wants to play in the Europe’s elite competition?

Entering the summer transfer window, it was clear that Arsenal and Arsene Wenger would face a fight to keep many of their most prominent players. Thanks to a seeming neglect of contracts and securing the long-term futures of key contributors, many now have just one year remaining on their current deal and hold all the power at the negotiating table.

Related Story: Arsene Wenger's Best Starting XI

They are in a position where, if they want to leave the club, then they may be able to force through an exit. The Gunners will be wanting to sell for some semblance of a return, and with the risk of losing them on a free the next summer, then if trouble came, they would be forced to sell.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

There are several players in that situation. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mesut Ozil, Wojciech Szczesny. However, perhaps the most prominent and concerning of all of them is Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean scored 24 Premier League goals last season, adding another 10 assists, was relentlessly influential from game to game throughout the year, driving the attack forward with pace and impetus when no one else was willing to take chances.

He is the best player in the squad and is perhaps of a calibre that Arsenal can no longer claim to command or attract, especially with the lack of Champions League football, the first time they failed to qualify for the competition in Wenger’s tenure. And that last point seems particular poignant to Sanchez. Speaking with reporters in Chile, Sanchez revealed that he would like to play in Europe’s elite competition:

"“I want to play in the Champions League. The decision isn’t down to me, I need to wait for Arsenal. I’ve made my decision, now I wait for Arsenal’s reply. The idea is to play in and win the Champions League. It is something that I have dreamed about it since I was little.”"

In the aftermath of these comments, many in the media have reacted as if this is some bombshell, an unexpected turn of events, something that will shake Arsenal to the core. But who is actually shocked by this admission? It should be no surprise that a player of Sanchez’s calibre wants to play in the Champions League. It’s simply natural.

Next: Arsenal Vs Western Sydney: 5 things we learned

While Sanchez’s comments perhaps lend themselves to a possible departure this summer, it still changes very little. His desire is an expected and normal one. There’s little surprise here, it simply means that the differences are now out in the open, rather than behind closed doors.