Sanchez is not special, I can substitute him - Wenger

 

Arsene Wenger has told Alexis Sanchez he is not a special case and insists he will continue to make the decision on whether to substitute the Arsenal forward. Sanchez has been substituted by Wenger in two of the last three matches, against Swansea and Ludogorets, and on both occasions the Chile international looked far from impressed by the decision to withdraw him from the action.

Wenger says he is unconcerned by the Sanchez's reaction and believes the 27years old, along with the rest of his squad, will need to be handled carefully as the season progresses. He said “They all recognise it after the game, but during the game they want to stay on the pitch, I have played football - I was tired and I wanted to stay on the pitch - because you want to play. There is a difference between acknowledging it and wanting to stay on the pitch. You want to play even when you are tired. For me he is not a special case. He is a player like everybody else. When I decide to take him off, I take him off. There is no special case. He has his own character but he is not treated differently from everybody else.”

Sanchez has been operating in a central striking role this campaign, having previously been played as a wide man by Wenger during the past two seasons. He has responded by scoring six goals in 12 appearances and Wenger believes Sanchez's long-term position will be as a forward.