Forget Walcott – Wenger needs to ensure this star’s golden years are spent at Arsenal

On Monday, Arsene Wenger revealed that negotiations with Theo Walcott were underway to improve the winger’s contract and ensure that his “peak years” are spent with Arsenal. Great news, but Arsenal fans should only worry about one current star spending his golden years at the Emirates for the moment: Alexis Sanchez.

Sanchez was at his very brilliant best in Tuesday’s 3-3 draw with Anderlecht; producing another virtuoso performance as the Chilean seems to offer more substance to the Luis Suarez comparisons every time he pulls on the shirt. He had a major hand in all three goals; scoring one and directly contributing to the other two. Twitter then erupted with a sense of injustice after our talisman found himself in a team that later lost a three-goal lead. He deserved better. Let’s give it to him.

At 65, Wenger is very much in the twilight of his Arsenal career, and if he wants to bookend his long, illustrious spell with a few trophies then it is vital for him to keep Sanchez contented because history has taught us that our world-class names will slowly but surely gravitate toward the exit – unless they’re given good reason to stick around.

The idea that Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie left us for anything other than glory is laughable. They’re winners. The good news is that Sanchez is cut from the same cloth, and he will do everything in his power to force success; the bad news is that he too will seek an exit if his team-mates undo his hard work.

Nobody wants to be the best player in a shit team; just ask Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale. Sanchez will be 26 when the summer transfer window opens for business.

Maybe it’s the Gooner in me, and how a series of misfortunate events down the years have conditioned us to pessimistic thoughts over the Arsenal, but we’re only four months into Sanchez’s four-year contract and it already feels like it could be the beginning of the end.