Arsene Wenger has claimed that missing out on World Cup qualification with their countries could actually help some of the Arsenal players with their clubs (via Arsenal.com).
It was an important international break for most footballers. World Cup qualification was finalised for many countries across the federations with players finding out whether they’ll be in Russia next year or not.
Many Arsenal stars booked their places but some fell just short and will now have to deal with that disappointment without letting it affect their domestic form.
Aaron Ramsey with Wales and Alexis Sanchez’s Chile are just two of the big sides who won’t be there next summer but Arsene Wenger thinks it could have a positive impact on their Arsenal form.
“We had some players disappointed, like Alexis with Chile and Ramsey with Wales,” Wenger said in his pre-match press conference.
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“There are mixed feelings but numbers-wise, I would say with Germany qualifying as well, more people are in a positive mood.”
Wenger was asked about Alexis Sanchez specifically whose Chile side missed out on qualification despite triumphing in the Copa America last year.
“I believe that he, like Aaron Ramsey, are winners. They want to focus on winning things and overall I believe that the World Cup is a stimulant – I don’t deny that – but when you don’t have it, you focus on your club and what you can achieve with your club.”
So, Wenger thinks that missing out on qualification could actually be a good thing for the Arsenal players. It’s true that some – like Alexis Sanchez – would benefit from having a summer without an international tournament for the first time in several years – even if he may not even be at the club next season.
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