Arsène Wenger recently addressed the media following Arsenal’s match against Chelsea, expressing satisfaction with his squad’s commitment and focus despite ongoing transfer speculation surrounding Alexis Sánchez. When asked whether his players needed to work harder, Wenger responded firmly: “I don’t think we lacked effort. Against Chelsea, we showed a lot of positives. We worked very hard.”
With Sánchez’s future dominating headlines, Wenger was also asked whether Arsenal would seek a replacement if the Chilean star left. “If Sánchez goes, yes, we need to bring someone in,” he admitted. “You saw today’s squad — we were missing quite a few players, but we’re still competitive.”
Rumors had swirled about Bordeaux winger Malcom’s visit to London and a potential move to Arsenal, but Wenger remained tight-lipped: “Nothing is concrete. There’s no official development. And I’d rather not mention specific names.”
As for Sánchez being omitted from the matchday squad, Wenger clarified the decision: “He was supposed to play. But this is a difficult moment for him. The transfer could have happened yesterday, maybe today, or maybe not at all. He has to stay on standby — that’s why I didn’t include him. He didn’t refuse to play.”
Wenger emphasized that the team’s performance against Bournemouth wasn’t due to a lack of attitude. “We made some mistakes, yes, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t try. The players were focused. Having a good attitude is one thing, but combining it with quality is another.”
According to Crickex App, Wenger also brushed off the drama surrounding Sánchez’s potential departure: “We’re in the middle of the transfer window. During this time, you play those who are 100% focused on the club. I’m not concerned about his transfer at all.”
Explaining further, Wenger said, “That’s why I didn’t take him to Bournemouth. I didn’t want to bring him, only for him to leave for another club the next day.” When asked whether Mesut Özil’s absence was for the same reason, Wenger was quick to clarify: “No, Özil is injured.”
As the saying goes, “keep your head in the game” — and despite the distractions, Wenger insists his squad has done just that.