No regrets: Arsene Wenger defends Alexis Sanchez gamble after defeat by Liverpool
Arsenal manager says he is comfortable with decision to pull Chilean striker from starting line-up
Arsene Wenger insisted he had no regrets at leaving Alexis Sanchez out of Arsenal’s starting line-up in his team’s 3-1 defeat at Liverpool.
The Arsenal manager, whose future at the Emirates is a subject of speculation, took the surprising decision to name Sanchez to the bench, bringing on the Chilean international at half-time.
Wenger explained his decision as a purely tactical one and claimed he did not regret his selection.
“I have no special regrets, the only regret is to have lost the game,” said Wenger.
“Look, the thinking was that we had to go more direct. We wanted to play two players who are strong in the air. After that to bring Alexis Sanchez on in the second half.
“Of course, I believe in the second half it was easier for the strikers and you could see the difference in the performance of [Olivier] Giroud and [Theo] Walcott because we dominated midfield much more.