Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker hopes that Alexis Sanchez will stay at the Emirates Stadium this summer and continue providing the “x-factor” in 2017/18.

Alexis has been heavily linked with a move away from Arsenal this summer but the Gunners, very understandably, don’t want one of their best players to leave. Fans and pundits alike would rather Alexis stay than leave.

Per Mertesacker is one of those who want Alexis to stay at Arsenal, due to the player’s ability to provide the team “x-factor”. “I think everyone wants him to stay because he’s a player with the X-factor and in the last season he has played some incredible games and he was our dominant goalscorer,” he said, reports the Daily Mail.

“But still, we’re not focusing as much on that because it’s another season and we have new signings as well and we’re trying to focus on them.” Alexis is obviously an important member of the Arsenal first-team and would be an absolute pain to replace, especially with only a month remaining in the transfer window.

Everyone will be keen for the speculation to die down so that Arsenal, and especially Alexis himself, can focus on the season ahead. Granted, this is the English media we’re talking abou so that is unlikely. Even if Alexis stays, there’ll be a story every week about when he’s joining Manchester City, right down to the very minute and location.

Such is the price Arsenal will have to pay to keep their best player at the club, the final few weeks of the transfer window could be unbareable for supporters. Alexis’ past quotes could be used as a way to tie in a potential deal in August, despite Arsenal’s stance that he will keep the Chilean at the club.