Transfer news: Wenger reveals why he benched Alexis Sanchez against Chelsea

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has insisted that dropping Alexis Sanchez for their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea, “had nothing to do with the transfer market”.

Sanchez was only a second-half substitute, as the Gunners held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

Wenger’s decision to drop the player comes amid speculation that a move to Manchester City is close to being finalised.

“I don’t have to justify every decision I make, you know. I made over 1,000 games and over 1,000 teams and I got it every time wrong, but I have to make a decision,” Wenger said.

Asked if he remains confident that Sanchez will stay at the club until the summer, when his contract expires, Wenger said: “Yes, that’s what I want.

“I want him to stay for longer because he’s a very important players for us. When he came on tonight, you could see that he created straight away danger.

“We have to accept as well when you play so many games and Sanchez plays every game that sometimes a breather in the middle of the season helps a little bit.”

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