I Want Alexis Sanchez To Stay – Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger has refused to explain his decision to drop Alexis Sanchez to the bench for Wednesday’s 0-0 draw at Chelsea, but insisted he still hopes the Chile international will stay at Arsenal for the rest of the season.

“I don’t have to justify every decision I make, you know. I made over 1,000 games and over 1,000 teams and I got it every time wrong, but I have to make a decision,” Wenger said.

Asked if he remains confident that Sanchez will stay at the club until the summer, when his contract expires, Wenger said: “Yes, that’s what I want.

“I want him to stay for longer because he’s a very important players for us. When he came on tonight, you could see that he created straight away danger.

“We have to accept as well when you play so many games and Sanchez plays every game that sometimes a breather in the middle of the season helps a little bit.”

“People don’t know Alexis well — this is a guy who is completely focused to play football. Have you seen how he came on today, how he warmed up? Like a player who wants to play football,” Wenger said.

“He can make a difference between what’s going on outside and what’s going on on the football pitch, with facts, not psychological theories. The fact is when you turn up on the pitch, you play football and you give 100 percent. That’s what he does.”