John Hartson thinks that Alexis Sanchez has to perform for Arsenal and manager Arsène Wenger so he can get his move to Manchester City.

Hartson was talking to the Daily Star about Alexis, who is now in the final year of his contract. Sanchez has reportedly already drawn plenty of interest, the Daily Star claim Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus are planning to join Manchester City in the battle for his signature, but Hartson says Alexis has to show he’s earned it.

He told Starsport: “The boy either sulks for four and a half months – although he doesn’t he seem like a sulker – or he gets over it. His contract is running down and he’s not going to sign a new one. He’s got to show a good attitude for his form and own mental state.

“If Pep Guardiola sees his attitude is terrible and he doesn’t perform, I’m not saying he won’t get his move because I still think Pep will come in for him. But I just think he has to [perform], it’s really important for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger who’s gone out and made sure he stayed.

“He’s relying on Sanchez to get Arsenal in the top four. I think he will get his head down and play to the best of his ability while he’s at Arsenal.”

Although Alexis seemed to me to be distracted as he put in a disappointing performance against Liverpool before deadline day, he turned things around against Bournemouth and Köln.

I felt he looked much more lively and scored a world class goal to put Arsenal in a strong Europa League position one game in. Hartson is right that the Gunners need to see this on a consistent basis to help the team get back into the top-four and the Champions League.

As well as that, if Alexis continues to refuse to sign a contract, he’ll be worth a lot more if he’s performing at the top of his game than if he sulks, so that’s another positive if he ends up moving in January.

Of course, if he leaves next summer it will be for free either way so Arsenal won’t get any value.