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Wenger denies having 'disguised attitude' over Sanchez role

Reuters/Carl Recine

Arsene Wenger says he isn't harbouring ulterior motives with regards to Alexis Sanchez's role at Arsenal.

After an attempt to force a move to Manchester City in the summer failed, Sanchez returned to Arsenal with one year left on his deal, and despite being the north London lot's most accomplished forward, he has yet to play 90 minutes in a Premier League match this season.

Wenger says there's no truth to speculation that he's trying to send a message, though when asked if Sanchez was central to his plans, the Frenchman offered, "Not more than any other. There is no real hierarchy.

"I have six or seven strikers but if I go in one game with three strikers, the three who have not played will play in mid-week no matter what game that is. But that is nothing calculated."

"There is no disguised attitude on my side," he added.

Sanchez played the full 90 Wednesday against Doncaster in the League Cup days after a 24-minute substitute's bow at Chelsea, and after a truncated summer hampered by a hamstring concern picked up while on Chile duty, Wenger said there's a reason he's easing the 28-year-old back into first-team duties.

"He came back not really fit and then he got injured," he offered. "If you add the injury plus the rest time it was a bit long, but on Wednesday night I left him on the pitch for 90 minutes because I wanted him to have a real go."

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