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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted that his star player Alexis Sanchez is ‘fitter without rest’, according to the Evening Standard. Sanchez played the whole ninety minutes in the Gunners’ 3-0 win against Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
With this victory, Wenger's side head to Athens for their final group match against Olympiacos, knowing that a 2-0 victory against the Greek side will ensure their place in the Round of 16.
The 26-year-old delivered yet another stellar performance for the Gunners to keep their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stage. Sanchez managed to find the back of the net twice during the game while Mesut Ozil struck the opener.
However, many have questioned Wenger’s decision to play the Chile international for the full ninety minutes despite taking a comfortable 2-0 lead in the first half. In recent games, the former Barcelona former has had a dip in form and it appears as though he has finally run out of steam after playing two summer tournaments in the past two years.
“Because a break makes him tired,” when the Arsenal boss was asked why Sanchez was not substituted.
“I would have loved to have done it in this game, but when you're 3-0 ahead you're not in a position where you need him to work back.”
“We put him central up front where he could spare some energy. It's not like the flank where he has to go up and down.”
“I tried to compromise a little bit, rest him a little bit.”
Wenger explains his decision to take off Giroud and Bellerin
The French coach kept the Chilean on the pitch for ninety minutes but decided to take off two of his players – Olivier Giroud and Hector Bellerin. Wenger has explained that the French striker had an ankle problem in the post-match interview.
“Olivier Giroud had a little problem on his ankle over the weekend so I decided to give him a little breather,” he said.
“I took Hector Bellerin off because he had a groin problem just before. Then of course I couldn't take Sanchez off. We now have five days to recover anyway.”
“I don't know how important Alexis is percentage-wise, he's just a very important player.”
I like to spend money: Wenger
Sanchez and Ozil cost the Gunners a combined £77 million to acquire their services. On a night when the club needed a desperate win to keep their CL campaign alive, the deadly duo turned up and delivered for their side. When it was pointed out that the two record signings had swept Arsenal to the brink of qualification despite a disastrous start to the group, Wenger laughed off his reputation as a spendthrift.
“No, I don't agree with you. I invite you out one night and you will see that I like to spend money,” Wenger said.
“It's you, the press, who gave me that reputation, but my friends don't think that.”
