Would Wenger keep his 'not selling' words on Alexis?

The speculation surrounding Alexis Sanchez contract situation at the
club has rumbled on again this summer after it dominated much of last
season.
And this has dominated much of Arsene Wenger's early pre-season press
conferences and comments with the club's in house media team.

The 28 year old Chilean hinted that he was keen to play for a club in
the champions league in an interview. A competition he knows Arsenal
will not participate in this coming season. Though he reiterated the
main decision lies with the club. And so far going by the utterances
and signals from the club through Arsene Wenger, it seems the club is
keen to keep the Chilean for the reminder of his one year contract
which means, he could leave on a free next summer if he doesn't sign a
contract extension during the season.

Wenger confirmed this again when he spoke to the club website that the
decision has been made to keep the Chilean and not sell in spite of
the links to Bayern Munich, PSG and Manchester City.

"The decision has been made and we will stick to that – the decision
is not to sell.

"I do not give too much importance to things that are translated. The
whole interview, which I got, did not really mean that [he only wants
Champions League football].

"The main focus for us is on the Premier League, that for me is more
important than the Champions League.

"We rested sometimes players in the group stage of the Champions
League for the Premier League, so that has become the biggest
importance for us.

"For the rest, we have played 20 years in the Champions League and 17
years before Alexis arrived and three years with him – he can get us
back in there."

However, the uncertainty over the Alexis Sanchez situation is that
Wenger has tolled this same line in the past especially when Robin van
Persie was in a similar situation. As well as Samir Nasri who also had
one year left in his contract before he left for Manchester City.

Yet Wenger has always drew a line between the financial landscape at
the club at the time and what currently obtains at the club.

Whereas, the considerations in terms of players who wouldn't sign
contracts have always been purely economic, but for sporting reasons
and the fact that the club needs its top players to challenge for the
coming season, it is time for the club to put sporting interest first
in handling Alexis Sanchez future which is why the club must match his
words with action.

With the pursuit of Thomas Lemar suffering several setbacks after
three bids were turned down by Monaco, the resolve to hold Alexis to
the reminder of his contract could have been strengthened. Though
there have been reports that both situations are not related. Still it
would have been difficult to believe that as Wenger would had issues
fitting these players into a lineup which meant Lemar looked likely
like a signing to cushion the effect of a possible Alexis' departure.

When Robin van Persie left for Manchester United in 2012, he
participated in the club's pre-season programme before he departed
during the transfer window of that season. So until the transfer
window closes, that is when there would be a partial closure on the
Alexis Sanchez saga.

The Chilean being out of the spot light with his extended holiday
after his participation at the Confederations cup means the
speculations is abit muted. But all that should change when he returns
to the club and how he deals with questions on his future would be
interesting.