Arsene Wenger assures Alexis Sanchez will be 100 per cent focused on his return
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that Alexis Sanchez will be 100 per cent focused on his duties once he returns after the international break.
The Chile international was desperate to seal a move to Manchester City on transfer deadline day, but the deal was eventually scuppered due to the Gunners' failure to find a suitable replacement.
Speaking to BeIN Sport, Wenger affirmed that his leading performer will show his full commitment on his Gunners comeback, he said: "100 per cent. Your interest is always to perform. It was not very close. It's very difficult for me to speak about that because what I want the player to do is now focus on his career, on his season and on Arsenal football club."
Wenger had tried to negotiate a British-record deal for Thomas Lemar during the final hours of the transfer window, but he acknowledges that the attacker was not keen on leaving the Principality club, he said: "Lemar chose to stay at Monaco. You have to respect what happens on the negotiation side. I know we live in an era of transparency but at some stage, to respect everybody, you have to not talk too much about that."
The Gunners had a relatively normal transfer window with just Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette being added to the ranks, but Wenger is nevertheless content with the outlook of his squad. Keeping hold of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil had been the main aim prior to the start of the season, and they have managed to fulfil their ambition, although the pair could leave on a free in 10 months' time.
Arsenal have had a dismal start to the new league season with two defeats from their opening three games, and the players are likely to be welcomed to a frenzy atmosphere when they take on Bournemouth in their next Premier League outing at the Emirates.