Hector Bellerín says that despite the media talk, Alexis Sanchez is focused on Arsenal and will be whenever he plays.

The 22-year-old was speaking to the International Business Times about Alexis after Arsenal’s victory over Bournemouth. The Chilean international made an appearance from the bench during the game and performed well, according to his teammate.

Bellerín said after the game: “Alexis is 100 per cent focused on Arsenal. He didn’t start [against Bournemouth] after returning from international duty but when he came on he has proved that he is 100 per cent and is going to be in every game.”

Some have questioned whether Alexis can really be focused on the Gunners if he hasn’t signed a new contract and clearly wanted to leave for Manchester City in the summer. The questions grew after the 28-year-old looked so distracted against Liverpool at Anfield.

Bellerín clearly believes, or at least hopes, that this won’t be a problem now that the window has closed. Arsenal need last season’s top scorer to be at his best if the club hope to achieve anything in 2017/18. The Bournemouth match was a good start.

The Spanish defender is also right to point to Alexis’ international involvement as a key factor in him being on the bench rather than in the team. Danny Welbeck and Alexandre Lacazette both had much lighter workloads with their countries and started against the Cherries.

When the action really gets underway this month, you’d expect Alexis to be back in the starting line up.