Sanchez has no business in China —Wenger

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger believes Alexis Sanchez has no business in China for professional football, at least for now.

The veteran tactician made this known through the Gunners website, www.arsenal.com on Thursday, while reacting to the impending move of Alexis and Mesut Ozil with 18 months left on their contracts.

Alexis who is on £130,000-a-week pay has been offered £400,000 per week to play in the lucrative Chinese Super League and Wenger believes the Chilean international does not need such move for now.

“I believe it, yes, why not? But why should you go to China when you’re playing in England today?” Wenger said.

He stated that the duo are vital to the London side.

“They have been hugely important. You can talk a lot in the press conference but the most important thing is what the players do on the pitch. The commitment of Alexis and Ozil [£140,000-a-week] is absolutely totally for the team’s benefit and I’m very pleased with that.

“We are professional football people and people forget many times that the first quality of a professional guy is to give absolutely 100 per cent as long as he is somewhere, and not to project yourself on two years. It’s here and now, that’s what it means to be professional – here and now I’m fully committed to the cause and that’s what it’s about.”

Wenger also expressed hope that the duo will see off their contracts.

“They have 18 months left on their contracts and they are completely committed to doing well as long as they are here. Beyond that, we’ll try to extend their contracts but I cannot make that the subject in every press conference because it’s a normal part of every renewal when you renegotiate. The less you talk about it, the better it is.”

Meanwhile, Wenger has defended his involvement in discussing player’s contract.

“It has always been a part of my job and it has always been difficult. But the problem is when the players have a big name, it’s a repetition of always the same things because you are always asked exactly the same things. But that doesn’t improve the speed of the negotiations. It doesn’t improve the speed of decision making.

“You have to respect the process in every single negotiation. Sometimes it goes very quick, sometimes it’s slow. The only handicap when it’s slow is that you get that served in every press conference,” he said.