Wenger: Sanchez Not More Important Than Other Players

Arsene Wenger has denied suggestions he is punishing Alexis Sanchez for wanting to leave the club, by benching him for EPL games.

Sanchez has only started one Premier League game this season and was used as a second half substitute in the matches against Bournemouth and Chelsea.

He has however started in the Europa League and the EFL Cup and it has been suggested that Wenger is reluctant to play the forward after his failed deadline day move to City.

Wenger, however, insists he is only benching Sanchez because of injury sustained on international duty.

Asked if he is concerned about Sanchez’s focus, Wenger told a news conference on Thursday: “Not at all, that’s going to very quick conclusions.

“He’s been out and injured and I thought he was a little bit short physically on Sunday [against Chelsea]. I played him last night to give him more competition.

“There’s no disguised attitude on my side. I just try to get him back to full fitness. I just try to give him competition and get him back to his best.

“He had a long holiday and came back not really fit and then he got injured. But last night, you could see he’s coming back sharp and I left him on for 90 minutes so he could have a real go.

“All the players are important, he’s not more than any other. I used a team at Chelsea that could be strong on the counter-attack and fight hard. Sanchez could have played if he had been fit.”