Alexis Sanchez loves being at Arsenal, and will give the Gunners what they’ve paid for in the final year of his contract, according to Arsène Wenger.

Wenger speaking ahead of Arsenal’s match against Liverpool at Anfield at the weekend. The game represents Alexis’ first chance to get back in an Arsenal shirt competitively, after he missed pre-season for his post-Confederations Cup holiday and was injured on his return.

With speculation surrounding the player all summer, but nothing concrete in the way of a bid coming in or a new Arsenal deal being agreed, the uncertainty about what’s next continues to reign. But Arsène claims it isn’t affecting Alexis’ mood, saying: “His interest is to do well, but on top of that I deeply feel that he loves to be here.

“He arrives at a stage of 28, 29 years old and looks at the quality of his contract but I think he deeply loves to be here. I can only tell you what happens here and Alexis works hard and is focused to play.

“Look, in a professional job I always think that you have to make sure with your commitment that the guy who pays you gets what he is paying you for. Alexis is in that mode and I think he will be until the last day he is here, he will give his best.”

Alexis has never previously shown any desire to step off the gas when he’s on the pitch, so it would be surprising if he started now, even if he is approaching the end of his deal.

In particular, Alexis has started to develop a habit of scoring in the big games. Last season he scored in both the FA Cup semi-final and the final, against Chelsea and Manchester City, and he’s scored against Liverpool in the past.

After being benched for the league match at Anfield last season, Alexis came on in the second half and grabbed an assist for the Gunners’ only goal of the game.

He never seems to have much problem turning things on when speculation surrounds him, hopefully that’ll be the same again at the weekend.