Arsenal: Arsene Wenger changing his tune on dynamic duo

Arsene Wenger stated, after the North London derby win, that Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil want to stay. But he added clauses and constraints. The Arsenal manager’s tune has changed a little.

No one ever, I believe, ever expected Arsenal to actually keep hold of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. Throughout the summer, Arsene Wenger insisted that that was the intention of the club. But I, at least, never believed him. How wrong I was.

Ozil and Sanchez did stay. And now, after a scintillating North London derby performance from the pair, they are again establishing themselves as the two players on which this current version of Arsenal is founded upon.

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Because of the equally brilliant displays from the pair, that included an assist for Ozil, a goal for Sanchez, and a controlling, creative, and, perhaps most importantly, committed, attitude throughout, questions began to be asked of their, and, subsequently, the squad’s, future, given their integral nature to its fate. When the question of their feeling towards the club, and whether he thinks they will stay or not, Wenger, in his post-match press conference, again reiterated his belief of their wanting to stay at the Emirates:

"“I am convinced they love the club and love the team, but all the rest will be decided – when? I don’t really know. I believe they love the club and want to stay, but there are other top clubs out there who offer good contracts as well. They’ve shown their commitment again [against Tottenham]. I’ve never questioned their commitment <…> Their interest is to play.”"

The answer, though, while still explicitly revealing Wenger’s thinking that both want to stay at Arsenal, is far more reserved and conservative than the answers that he gave in the summer to very similar questions.

Wenger was bullish and forthright before. Their staying was proclaimed in no uncertain terms. There was no doubt whatsoever in Wenger’s convictions and his beliefs, even if those around him, including myself, did not share or ascribe to the same perspective.

But this is different. Although, in principle, he may be saying the same thing, there is a growing constraint. Wenger is laying the groundwork for dealing with the backlash of their departure. This is not as sure, not as certain, not as defined. There is a creeping doubt and resignation that suggests, perhaps, that Wenger is erring his belief that they will stay.

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Wenger is changing his tune. Admittedly, it is only slightly, only marginally. But he is nonetheless adding an extra nuance to the message that he has been proclaiming. That tells me that, as anticipated, Ozil and Alexis will be leaving soon, whether it be in the winter or at the end of the season. It seems like a matter of when, not if.

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