Arsene Wenger has further explained why he was willing to let go of his star goalscorer a few years ago and spoken on whether that move could be repeated this summer. 

The Gunners sold Robin van Persie to Manchester United in a surprising deal in 2012 after the Dutchman refused to extend his contract at the Emirates stadium.

With Alexis Sanchez now in a similar contractual situation and being linked to Chelsea, there have been rumours suggesting that the club could sell to a Premier League rival again.

However, Wenger has made it clear that what occured with Van Persie is different from the Chilean forward’s fate.

“I let Van Persie go in the last year of his contract because Van Persie was 29, going on 30, and he was signing a long-term contract. That is not the case with Alexis. Alexis is 28. So that is a bit different.” Wenger said

“I don’t think that you would sell him to any Premier League club, that is for sure. Because you want to be as strong as you can be, and not strengthen the other teams.

“But I just told you that I think Alexis will stay here and sign a contract. You are in your job [in the media] where you are always painting the most dreadful situation. But we are not necessarily in that situation.”

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