Alexis Sanchez lets frustration boil over but Wenger dismisses concerns over Arsenal forward's morale
Arsene Wenger has admitted Alexis Sanchez was unhappy with his decision to substitute the forward but maintained it was a matter of little concern after Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Norwich.
Sanchez struggled to make an impact throughout a nervy victory that saw Arsenal move back up to third, his admirable drive and commitment not matched by a first touch that all too often deserted the in-form Chilean.
With Wenger desperate to hold on to the slender advantage earned for his side by Danny Welbeck’s strike just before the hour mark Sanchez was withdrawn in favour of defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin.
The 27-year-old headed straight to the tunnel after being substituted and Wenger did not deny that Sanchez was unhappy with the decision.
“Was he happy? No,” Wenger said. “My job is to make decisions. To get 100 per cent happy is difficult.
“I honestly didn’t see [Sanchez walking down the tunnel]. At that stage I was more worried to keep the 1-0 and I didn’t see it.”
Sanchez was not the only Arsenal forward to struggle against a stubborn Norwich backline, with Olivier Giroud enduring a first half that saw him booed by his own supporters in the closing stages.
Though Welbeck secured a crucial three points for his side this was once more a game where Arsenal’s dominance of possession failed to translate on the scoresheet.
Arsenal have managed just 59 goals in the league this season, and a mere 27 in 18 home matches, but that is something Wenger puts down to obdurate opposition more than his own side’s attacking failings.
He said: “The problem we have faced this season is exactly the same problem we had today. We lost in the first game of the season against a team who sat very deep and didn’t come out. After that, all the teams came here and sat very deep.
“We did not find a way, in the air or on the ground, to score goals. Today again, I think once we were 1-0 up, there were more goals in the game for us, but we couldn’t finish the game off. You can always be caught back. Crystal Palace was 1-1.
“Why did we have fantastic results against the teams at the top of the table? Because they come out more, they play more and the game was more side to side.
“We had the problem that we couldn’t solve this season against teams who sit in front of their box.”
ArticleSanchez lets frustration boil over but Wenger brushes off concernsAlexis SanchezArsenalArsene WengerPremier LeagueArsenal vs Norwich Player Ratings
Arsenal vs Norwich Player Ratings
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1/12 Player Ratings
Who impressed at a divides Emirates?
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2/12 Petr Cech: 7
Despite Arsenal monopolising the ball it was their keeper who kept the scores level in the first half, twice saving well from Redmond.
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3/12 Hector Bellerin: 5
The Spaniard was unusually sloppy in possession and inaccurate with his crossing, except exquisitely for Giroud’s assist. In defence he was particularly poor when Olsson bombed forward on the overlap.
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4/12 Per Mertesacker: 6
Had been rather crucial in Arsenal dealing with a string of dangerous crosses Norwich put into the area and he was perhaps the only defender not to struggle with what was hardly the most fearsome Norwich attack.
Sub: Gabriel: 6
Perhaps he was stung by being dropped after West Ham and felt he had blown his big chance. But off the bench for 40 minutes he was thoroughly impressive in Arsenal’s rearguard. -
5/12 Laurent Koscielny: 5
Could have caused serious damage to Ivo Pinto with a wild diving challenge but that aside he was not overly tested.
2016 The Arsenal Football Club Plc
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6/12 Nacho Monreal: 5
Twice in the first half he abandoned his defensive duties at the back post and allowed Redmond viable goalscoring opportunities, though he was impressive in the tackle.
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7/12 Mohamed Elneny: 6
With Santi Cazorla on the bench it was perhaps more apparent what Elneny can’t do than it was when he was the saviour of the Arsenal midfield. Yes he keeps possession neatly but without a cutting edge.
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8/12 Aaron Ramsey: 4
The best player at Arsenal in late 2014 was, once more, nowhere to be seen. That Ramsey used to drive into the area from deep and test the keeper from range. This Ramsey pings the ball about a bit. It was hard to keep track of the number of times he got the ball outside the area, feinted to shoot and then passed sideways.
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9/12 Alex Iwobi: 7
By far the most threatening of Arsenal’s attackers in the first period, his eagerness to get to the byline offered his side the best chance of finding the net.
Sub: Danny Welbeck: 7
Made the difference immediately off the bench, offering a willingness to drive at the bench and providing a smart finish for the opener. Must surely now be restored to the starting XI. -
10/12 Alexis Sanchez: 5
His application is never in doubt but, particularly prior to the opener, his touch had clearly gone missing. To his credit he kept looking for the ball but too often he slowed proceedings down rather than injecting a spark.
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11/12 Mesut Ozil: 5
There may be some impressive stat on how many passes he completed or chances he created but it’s hard to shake the impression, bar one gorgeous ball for Sanchez on the break, that he is playing as poorly as he has in some time at Arsenal.
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12/12 Olivier Giroud: 4
By half-time it was impossible not to feel sympathetic for Giroud, such were his struggles. Last week his manager said he “cannot score”, so why did he start again? It got better in the second period, culminating in a fine knockdown for Welbeck, but the first 45 minutes were dismal in the extreme.