Arsene Wenger insists Alexis Sanchez's 'hunger index' will increase during his last season at Arsenal

The Chilean is likely to leave when his deal expires at the end of the season

Jack Austin
Tuesday 15 August 2017 13:49 BST
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Wenger: I didn't know if I would stay at Arsenal

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Arsene Wenger insists he has no qualms over Alexis Sanchez’s mentality and expects him to be fully committed to Arsenal during the final year of his contract.

Sanchez wants to leave the Gunners this summer for Manchester City after stalling on signing a new contract but Wenger has so far been unwilling to allow him to move and is expected to make him see out the final 12 months of his contract at the Emirates.

The Independent reported last month how City boss Pep Guardiola, who managed Sanchez while the pair were at Fc Barcelona, is prepared to wait for Sanchez until next summer and still sees a place for the Chilean in his squad for the 2018/19 season.

And despite Sanchez’s desire to leave, Wenger is not anticipating an attitude issue and believes the 28-year-old’s “hunger index” will increase knowing he only has the one season remaining.

“You could say as well the other way round,” he told beIN Sports.

“The real question we have to answer is does the hunger index increase or decrease when you have a short contract or a long contract?

“I would be on the opposite side. That means the hunger index is higher when the contracts are shorter and it decreases naturally when the guys have long contracts.

“Contracts mean a lot. When you sign them as a club, you have to pay the money for the player if he performs or not.

“That gives you a huge responsibility and gives a guarantee of income to the players. Overall, I believe that it has a meaning.”

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