Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez retention shows that Arsene Wenger is all in

Arsenal look like they were actually serious about holding onto Alexis Sanchez for this final year, which proves that Arsene Wenger is all in.

Here we are, a week from the transfer window closing, and Alexis Sanchez is still with Arsenal. It is surprising and refreshing while also being dangerous and traumatizing, because there is little to no optimism in him signing a new deal.

And there have been options to replace him. Thomas Lemar, for instance. Or, more recently, Julian Draxler. But I think one of the main reasons we haven’t been able to land a suitable replacement is because Alexis is still here. It’s quite clear that so long as Mesut Ozil and Alexis are here, they will be the first-choice attacking midfielders.

Meaning anyone that come sin behind them is strictly that – behind them. A reserve. A secondary option.

That isn’t going to be appealing to anyone on the level of Alexis, or even close to the level of Alexis. They want first team assurances and right now, they can’t get that from Wenger.

Which shows a mentality that I think is actually admirable, if not a bit stubborn. Wenger could have sold Alexis and replaced him, no question. But there’s never going to be a guarantee with a new signing and there is not going to be another Alexis. So to replace Alexis with any one of these options is a risk.

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A calculated risk, granted, but a risk. And a risk that isn’t exactly necessary.

What I mean by that is, it is far less risky to just let Alexis finish out his contract than it is to bring someone else in and hope that he can replicate what the Chilean has done.

In the past, Wenger has sold players off in similar situations because I don’t think he ever had it in his mind that winning the Premier League was the ultimate goal. Sure he wanted it, but fixing the debt and stabilizing the club was a priority. Think of that what you will.

Now, however, with nothing to pay off and his own contract nearing its end, Wenger wants to win. More than anything. More than financial stability or prolonged relevance. He wants to win.

Further proof is in the fact that Alexis will be walking for free next year if we don’t win.

This feels like a last hurrah. A grand voyage to conquer the Premier League one last time. And, in the process of doing that, he may be able to sway Alexis into staying. Wouldn’t that be a story? More like a cinematic masterpiece.

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I have been critical of Wenger’s insistence on holding onto the Chilean, but when you think about it in this sense, I have to change my tune a bit. Maybe Le Prof is really going for it at long last.

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