Arsenal transfer news: Sanchez sale imminent, Zaha latest and more - 31st December 2017

Crystal Palace v Arsenal - Premier League
Dressing room unrest set to be the trigger

Dressing room unrest to trigger Alexis Sanchez sale

The Chilean is in the final year of his contract and has expressed his desire to leave London for quite some time now. He almost joined Manchester City on deadline day back in August but for Arsenal failing to land a replacement in time. The Citizens are still looking to sign the forward in 2018 while Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) remain interested from France.

Now, the situation is such that the 29-year old could be sold in January itself. Sanchez was confronted by his team-mates in the dressing room following the Gunners' away win at Burnley last month as per The Guardian. The bust-up reportedly occurred on 26th November, with Arsenal players accusing their star forward of having a"poor attitude" and calling out his "on-field histrionics", especially when things do not go his way.

Recently, club legend Thierry Henry pointed out the mixed reaction from the players when Sanchez's double against Crystal Palace secured maximum points for Arsene Wenger's side. Unrest in the dressing room is bad for a club's success and Wenger is now reportedly looking to cut his losses in the New Year, as per Goal.

Recently, team-mate Mohamed Elneny took a dig at Sanchez's Chile failing to qualify for the World Cup on Twitter.

While it does look to be in a friendly vein, things are looking likely that Sanchez's time at the Emirates will come to an end in January.


Wilfried Zaha eyed as Sanchez's replacement

Crystal Palace v Arsenal - Premier League
Second-chance at a top-six club beckons

The Crystal Palace winger is considered by many as the best player outside the top six in the Premier League and his performances have been critical for the South London club for more than a year.

After a failed stint at Manchester United, the 25-year old has rediscovered his touch and is now wanted by Arsenal as a replacement for the departing Sanchez, as per the Daily Star.

Zaha has scored four goals and assisted one more in 14 Premier League appearances this season. However, the Ivory Coast international is pivotal to Palace's survival hopes and the Eagles would prefer to sell their star man in the summer than in January.

While Arsenal mull over a possible bid, Sky Sports expert Charlie Nicholas opines that Zaha needs to become less selfish to succeed at Arsenal. Nicholas said:

“I’d give him so much verbal if I was playing in the middle with him,“You’d make two or three runs and it would never come and by the time the fourth one comes he plays it in and you haven’t made that run. It frustrates you so much, (Christian) Benteke, and I know he’s got faults, but how does he know when that ball’s coming in. Does he know it’s going to come in there? And then he can pick a pass like that for the Townsend goal."
“He’s got to understand a little bit more about his fellow team-mates about how hard work it is to get away from defenders, rather than always him showboating. He’s a superstar in skill, but he must be more aware of his team-mates. I’ve love Arsenal to buy him, but somebody needs to sort him out and say ‘you have to think of some other people sometimes’. But he’s entertaining.”

Wenger will certainly believe he can help Zaha improve further if he joins the Gunners.


Arsenal in pole position for David Luiz

Chelsea FC v AS Roma - UEFA Champions League
David Luiz set to become a Gunner?

The Chelsea centre-back has fallen out with manager Antonio Conte and is now looking for a move away with Andreas Christensen taking his place in the squad. A knee injury has kept him out of the last 11 league games but this has not deterred his suitors.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Arsenal are reportedly interested in the Brazilian but the Gunners are now front-runners as per the Sunday Express. There is no doubt that the Blues will not want to sell a quality player to a direct rival. However, Luiz will want to resolve his future soon, especially with the World Cup on the horizon.

If Arsenal can indeed land the 30-year old, they will be getting a solid ball-playing centre-back with a winning mentality.

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Edited by Omene Osuya
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