Arsenal’s frustration at Alexis Sánchez’s slump in form after his decision to run down his contract has been exacerbated by the fact that the Chile international agreed the terms of a new deal at the club 12 months ago. Sánchez is even understood to have shaken hands on the deal last December before changing his mind as Arsenal went out of the Champions League after a humiliating 10-2 aggregate defeat by Bayern Munich in the round of 16. Sánchez made it clear that he wanted to join Manchester City last summer and having failed to perform to his best since that transfer collapsed in August, will leave Arsenal for free next summer.

Sánchez changed his mind about staying at Arsenal after their humiliation by Bayern ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Southgate penalty takers

Gareth Southgate revealed the identity of his preferred World Cup