Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez goal-drought questions utterly ridiculous

Arsene Wenger had to field questions regarding Alexis Sanchez’s goal-drought and what it might mean regarding his commitment to Arsenal. What an absolutely ridiculous state of affairs.

As soon as rumours begin to fly around that a player may be leaving, or may even be wanting to leave, questions of commitment soon arise, especially if bids are rejected and form subsequently drops. Do they want to play for the club? Does the manager trust them to perform? Are they devoted to the cause? These are questions that are all being asked of one Alexis Sanchez.

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The Arsenal attacker was the subject of a £60 million offer from Manchester City on transfer deadline, and, if not for a Thomas Lemar-shaped calamity, would likely have found himself plying his rather scintillating trade at the Etihad. That, as is well know, did not happen, and Sanchez must settle for another year in North London.

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But, as is ever the case with the media fishing for stories and controversies that aren’t necessarily there, an apparent goal-drought is highlighting issues that have led to Arsene Wenger fielding questions regarding Sanchez’s commitment to the team. Here is what he had to say:

"“He runs after a goal at the moment so he’s a bit frustrated when he doesn’t score, like all goalscorers. I’m not worried about it. He works hard and it will come back quickly. You can never try too hard. At the moment he’s marked well, they double up on him, but he still creates many dangerous situations and the goal – he just has not to worry too much. I am not concerned because I am not suspicious of the performances or the desire to win of a football player.”"

It is the last line that proves the stupidity of the questions asked: ‘I am not concerned because I am not suspicious of the performances or the desire to win of a football player.’ Sanchez may not be scoring as many goals as in years past, especially last season. But that does not mean that he is not trying.

Just watch him play. The Chilean is haring around the pitch with his usual energy and intensity. He is striving for that elusive strike. He is working his hardest. He is, in a word, committed, the exact thing that he is accused of not being.

And it is even tenuous to describe his current run of form as a goal drought. Although he only has two goals this season, he has only played 545 minutes of football in all competitions. And in the Premier League, he has also two assists to his name. Moreover, he scored just last weekend against Everton with an angled effort after a patient and mazy run late on. He is certainly not producing at the same level as he has been. But ‘drought’ is a strong word to use.

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The questions of Sanchez’s will to win are utterly ridiculous. They are based on something that is barely true, and while they align with one particular stat, they do not fit the narrative of the eyes. Sanchez is working hard. Anyone who has watched him play will derive that conclusion. He is committed, for now, to the endeavours of Arsenal football club.