Sanchez/Sterling

[Hesperus]

Think it will get done today? Time is running out but it looks like there's been some movement in the last couple of days.

[guidebridgeblue]

Arsenal can't get Lemar so keeping Sanchez just said on Talksport.

[KunDB]

Keeping a discontented player is not wise, losing him for nought is insane. My guess is it will still happen. 

[Lekos]

Arsenal can't get Lemar so keeping Sanchez just said on Talksport.

But they seem to be about to sign Rabiot and maybe (less likely) Draxler.

Could still be on. It's on and off according to multiple sources all over the show.

[guidebridgeblue]

Manchester City's bid to sign Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez looks to be over.  It is understood a conditional agreement was reached in principle between City and Arsenal for Sanchez to move to the Etihad Stadium.  The fee was £55m, plus £5m in add-ons.  But it depended on Arsenal first securing a replacement to fill the gap left by the 28-year-old.  Their target was Monaco winger Thomas Lemar and an agreement was reportedly reached between the clubs for a fee in the region of £90m.  However, it is thought that the 21-year-old France international decided against the move.  City are currently not prepared to resurrect the deal by offering a player in exchange or more money for a straight cash deal.  Barring a remarkable last-minute turn of events Sanchez, who wanted to joint City to be reunited with his former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, will stay at Arsenal.  He is into the final year of his contract and is likely to leave on a free transfer next summer.

[Hesperus]

Not looking promising.

[Lekos]

Nope.

[bluebrendan]

If we really wanted Sanchez why didn't we just stick a bid in after he returned for pre-season, it was obvious enough then that he wouldn't sign a new contract. I can't help thinking we've tried to be too clever with this deal. Not that arsed though, we've still had a very good window.

[Hesperus]

It's a difficult one. Show your hand too early and Arse would have just rejected it for even more money on deadline day. Then again, we'll never know.

He would have improved us, but I'm not too bothered either. I reckon it was now or never though for Sanchez. I very much doubt we'll be back for him next summer even on a free. So hopefully he'll have a right monk on and go on strike and or disrupt the Arse dressing room.

[Swiss]

Arsenal have not wanted this transfer. It wouldn't surprise me if they intend to work on him to sign a new contract.

They think they can placate their fans with a fake 90m bid for lemar... Rumour is they pulled out because there wasn't enough time... Load of bollocks

[Moz1959]

Got a feeling we might go in for Mahrez.

[nimrod]

Arsenal have not wanted this transfer. It wouldn't surprise me if they intend to work on him to sign a new contract.

They think they can placate their fans with a fake 90m bid for lemar... Rumour is they pulled out because there wasn't enough time... Load of bollocks

This

I saw an interview with Wenger where he stated the financial benefits of keeping him

a lot more chance of making CL and cups, plus the massive bad press and pissed off fans selling their best player

They also didnt like the idea of him going to an English competitor

[KunDB]

Sanchez is not going to propel Arsenal into next year's CL. He will loathe their treatment of him and he will know Wenger was behind it. On top of that most the Arsenal players despise him, they could not wait to get their stories into the press so leaked them before he left.

Also it is a World Cup next year and like most players he will not want to risk injury so he will save himself for the World Cup. Difference with other top players at top clubs, he will have no other reason to put it all in and just hope to avoid injury.

[nimrod]

Sanchez is not going to propel Arsenal into next year's CL. He will loathe their treatment of him and he will know Wenger was behind it. On top of that most the Arsenal players despise him, they could not wait to get their stories into the press so leaked them before he left.

Also it is a World Cup next year and like most players he will not want to risk injury so he will save himself for the World Cup. Difference with other top players at top clubs, he will have no other reason to put it all in and just hope to avoid injury.

Theyve a lot more chances of CL with him in the team..

and can you imagine the shit publicity and perception of fans after the pasting at Liverpool to lose their best player, I think the last thing they wanted was to lose him, especially to a competitor.
Plus we dont know the relationship he has with Wenger, maybe he hopes he can persuade him to stay.

How do you know the players despise him, unless you know them personally of course.

Your other world cup speculation is bollocks imo, I dont believe a player who wants to put himself in a shop window next May will go on a go slow, he'll want to be the Gooners best player again. You dont attract potential big clubs by being a moody sod.

Arsenal have never said they want to sell him and he's put in no transfer requests, fair go's to them for sticking to their guns (no pun intented) 

[gavin]

It has been a disappointing window. We've managed to spend in excess of £200 million without addressing what were the acknowledged core weaknesses of the team last season. We didn't finish  enough of our chances and conceded too many goals for the chances we allowed teams. We carry on this season as last really - relying on Vinny at the back and Sergio or Jesus to provide the finishing. We still have a squad that can win things if we have a fortunate season with injuries and form like Chelsea did last season but there are clear weaknesses that could cost us and probably will.

[nimrod]

It has been a disappointing window. We've managed to spend in excess of £200 million without addressing what were the acknowledged core weaknesses of the team last season. We didn't finish  enough of our chances and conceded too many goals for the chances we allowed teams. We carry on this season as last really - relying on Vinny at the back and Sergio or Jesus to provide the finishing. We still have a squad that can win things if we have a fortunate season with injuries and form like Chelsea did last season but there are clear weaknesses that could cost us and probably will.

Agree Gav but we now have 2 very good fullbacks and hopefully a better goalie

[KunDB]

Theyve a lot more chances of CL with him in the team..

and can you imagine the shit publicity and perception of fans after the pasting at Liverpool to lose their best player, I think the last thing they wanted was to lose him, especially to a competitor.
Plus we dont know the relationship he has with Wenger, maybe he hopes he can persuade him to stay.

How do you know the players despise him, unless you know them personally of course.

Your other world cup speculation is bollocks imo, I dont believe a player who wants to put himself in a shop window next May will go on a go slow, he'll want to be the Gooners best player again. You dont attract potential big clubs by being a moody sod.

Arsenal have never said they want to sell him and he's put in no transfer requests, fair go's to them for sticking to their guns (no pun intented) 

It is seldom ever a good idea to keep a want away player, imo.

It is not about Sanchez, or any other player, downing tools they just lose that cutting edge to their play and even when trying are only performing around 90% imo. With Sanchez and Arsenal that is a loss of goals that might make the difference between CL and Europa League again.

I will be more than surprised if Arsenal make top 4 this year.

[nimrod]

It is seldom ever a good idea to keep a want away player, imo.

It is not about Sanchez, or any other player, downing tools they just lose that cutting edge to their play and even when trying are only performing around 90% imo. With Sanchez and Arsenal that is a loss of goals that might make the difference between CL and Europa League again.

I will be more than surprised if Arsenal make top 4 this year.

But if he's a want away player why didnt he put in a transfer request ?

[Hesperus]

To keep his loyalty bonus?? He wanted away alright, he made lots of comments about wanting champions league football etc. He just did not want to pay for it himself.

[lee]

apparently he signed a contract with us and arsenal are being taken to court