This season, Alexis Sanchez has looked as if he’d rather play for any other team than Arsenal and Laurent Koscielny has reportedly had a big problem with it.
After the Crystal Palace match at Selhurst Park, a big deal was made about certain players not celebrating with Alexis when the Chilean scored.
Kos isn’t keen to join in the celebrations of the Alexis Sanchez second goal. Noticed this a few times but not as blatant as this. #AFC pic.twitter.com/bl9cMAXCfQ
— Akhil Vyas (@10akhil) December 28, 2017
One of these players was Kos but club photographers Stuart MacFarlane and David Price were quick to share pictures that showed otherwise.
.@6_LKOSCIELNY congratulates @Alexis_Sanchez on scoring his 1st goal for Arsenal v Palace. Sorry if this doesn't fit in with people narrative of the match. pic.twitter.com/lx8AqgzQ0m
— David Price (@priceyd101) December 29, 2017
According to Goal, however, Kos and Alexis came to blows more than once, most notably after the Burnley and Southampton games. The centre-back had allegedly grown tired of the 29-year-old’s lack of effort on the pitch.
Arsene Wenger apparently tried to cover up the rift. After the Palace match, he claimed he hadn’t seen the forward get ignored after finding the back of the net.
Goal also claim that Alexis returned to Chile to spend Christmas with his family. Wenger denied the rumours at the time but the forward allegedly went home against the club’s wishes.
Alexis posted this on Boxing Day. Obviously, this could have been taking in England or on another date but I would be surprised…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdKwpJln96T/?hl=en&taken-by=alexis_officia1
I can totally understand why other players, especially senior players, would be frustrated with Alexis’ behaviour. Although it’s hard to know what he is actually like behind the scenes, on the pitch he can be a petulant child. He’s supposed to be a professional.