Arsene Wenger praises Alexis Sanchez for 'very strong season' after Arsenal star is offered huge new contract

Sam Long14 April 2017

Arsene Wenger heaped praise on Alexis Sanchez for a "very strong season" after Arsenal offered the star a new contract worth £300,000-a-week.

The Chile international has proven himself to be one of Wenger's most important players this season, scoring 22 goals in 41 appearances.

The forward's displays were enough to secure a place on the six-man shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year award and Wenger has welcomed the recognition Sanchez has earned.

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"I'm very happy because I think he has had a very strong season," said Wenger

"His goal scoring record is good and his assists are good. A combination shows real quality of the player.

"He played for a while as centre forward and he has short back lift, good first touch and the focus needed to score.

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"He plays with an aggressive attitude," Wenger added.

Sanchez currently earns £130,000-a-week while Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is the division's highest earner courtesy of a £290,000-a-week salary.

While Wenger would not comment on Arsenal's offer, believed to be £300,000 per week, he conceded that modern wages are a vast contrast to those paid when he arrived at the club.

"First of all I cannot confirm that we have offered that," the Frenchman said.

"Secondly we will do as always and consider our financial potential to sustain wages for the whole squad.

"What is sure is what is paid today in a week paid for a year 20 years ago.

"Will that continue to go up? I'm tempted to say no but I've always been wrong."

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