Former Arsenal player Charlie Nicholas has called on the club’s star forward Alexis Sanchez to commit his future to the North London side adding that it would be the right thing to do at this stage of his career.
Alexis Sanchez, who has been in sensational form this season with 11 league goals to emerge as joint topscorer, and German playmaker Mesut Ozil currently have 18 months to run on their contract and have been in lengthy contract talks with Arsenal over an extension. To this effect, Charlie Nicholas has urged Sanchez in particular to stay with Arsene Wenger’s side for the long haul by committing to a new deal.
Nicholas, who was speaking on popular TV, Sky Sports, said: “Sanchez has won everything at Barcelona, he’s won the Copa America with Chile, what else does he need? Do you need love, do you need care, do you need a birthday cake with candles on it?”
“I think the love of the game that he shows, the desire to still be a top player, tells me he wants to be in a top league with a top team. He’s been at Barcelona, where else can he go? I think he’s at one of the finest clubs he could ever wish to be.
“If he’s happy, sign the deal. He’ll get another wage top-up. I think when Cesc Fabregas was captain, he got another £5m a year or so from sponsorship so there are ways to do different pieces of business without always making it look like it’s just a top-up in wages.
“Arsenal have got to make a point to say we don’t need to spend £50m or £60m the way the other clubs are. Maybe (spending big) once a season but let’s focus on keeping these top players.” he concluded.
