Report: Wantaway Sanchez was dropped after training bust-up with teammates

Arsene Wenger made the bold decision to bench Alexis Sanchez after the Chilean quit a training session just days before Arsenal's marquee match against Liverpool, the Guardian's David Hynter reports.

A furious spat between Sanchez and some incensed teammates ensued in the dressing room, Matt Law of The Telegraph adds, sparking questions over the player's attitude amid a standoff over his future at the club.

Many Arsenal players reportedly supported Wenger's resolution to drop Sanchez for the high-profile clash - even though the player's exclusion drew intense criticism from fans and pundits alike.

The 28-year-old had an immediate impact on the match after replacing Francis Coquelin in the second half, setting up the Gunners' only goal in a 3-1 defeat.

But his second-half effort did little to soothe what has been a troubling few weeks in north London.

With rumoured suitors Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain circling above, Sanchez - who is having a season worthy of Player of the Year honours - has cut a frustrated figure.

While Wenger indicated publicly the decision to sit Sanchez was tactically motivated, the Mirror's John Cross contends a series of incidents led to the benching.

A "simmering row" after Arsenal's 5-1 capitulation to Bayern Munich on Feb. 15 was the beginning of a breakdown in the pair's relationship, according to Cross.

Although Sanchez scored his team's lone goal in an otherwise humiliating effort at the Allianz Arena, Wenger reportedly called out the former Barcelona winger for being selfish.

To make matters worse, Cross believes the embattled Arsenal manager now has the impression Sanchez will force a move away from the Emirates at the end of the season.

His contract expires in June 2018.