Reports are out claiming that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has defended his decision not to substitute Gunners striker Alexis Sanchez in the 3-0 Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb.
Sanchez has already made 23 appearances for club and country so far this campaign, but Wenger said replacing the Chilean was not an option due to the need to rest Olivier Giroud and Hector Bellerin.
“Giroud had a little problem on his ankle over the weekend, I decided to give him a breather. Hector Bellerin had a groin problem just before. Of course then I couldn’t take Sanchez off,” Wenger said.
“I would have loved to rest Sanchez tonight but I had two different options, once it was 3-0 you don’t need him to track back. When you put him central he can spare a little energy up front. It’s not like on the flank where you have to go up and down.
“I tried to compromise a bit, rest him a bit and give a breather to Giroud.”