Arsene Wenger has been slammed by a talkSPORT host. It’s hardly new, but Andy Goldstein’s latest rant oddly blames the manager for dragging on the Alexis transfer saga.
The radio host said: “Arsenal must know Alexis Sanchez’s stance. I don’t believe for one moment that on August 3rd, 2017, Arsene Wenger or Alexis Sanchez don’t know their future. I don’t believe it’s still undecided,” reports the Express.
Goldstein has presumably not been keeping with Arsenal news in recent weeks as Wenger has made it pretty clear than Alexis will not be sold. His future, therefore, has been decided.
The Chilean can leave for free in 12 months but Wenger has said he will not sell him any earlier. Not satisfied with one thoughtless quote, Goldstein kept talking.
“Take Chelsea as an example. Antonio Conte knew from the first day after the season finished that Diego Costa wouldn’t be featuring for Chelsea. Come pre-season or the beginning of the season, that’s dealt with.
“He’s still there, a bid hasn’t come in but he’s a Chelsea player. Chelsea have moved on. They’ve bought another forward. The Community Shield is at the weekend. There’s a week until the start of the season. Does Alexis Sanchez want to be there?”
To clarify, Conte wanted to sell Costa during their title-winning campaign. The Brazilian-born Spanish international looked on his way to the Chinese Super League before the deal broke down. So Chelsea were stuck with a striker they didn’t want and who didn’t want to stay in London. How is that ‘dealt with’?
Costa has even admitted wanting to leave Chelsea on a number of occasions and has now brought his lawyer into the saga, who said the striker might hand in a transfer request. Why? I’m not too sure. Chelsea aren’t stopping the player from leaving, far from it.
But the uncertainty over his future is in complete contrast to Arsenal. Alexis has been told he’s staying. Anything that says otherwise in the media is conjecture until the club say different. Arsenal believe Alexis will honour his contract and give his all for one last season.
Costa’ form dipped considerably in the second-half of 2016/17, as did his relationship with Conte. So I’m not quite sure what Goldstein is on about, to be honest.