Arsenal legend Robert Pires has denied reports of an alleged bust-up between Alexis Sanchez and team-mates, claiming that the Chilean walked out of a training session after he was on the receiving end of a bad tackle.
Sanchez was a surprise omission from Arsene Wenger's starting line-up for Saturday's 3-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield, with reports suggesting the talisman was dropped after a row over the player's attitude following a fight during training.
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However, Pires, who regularly trains at London Colney with the first team and has a close relationship with star players Alexis and Mesut Ozil, told beIN Sports that claims of a fight are untrue and suggested that vice-captain Laurent Koscielny went to talk to the player after he walked out.
“Claims in press there was a fight are false. I was there. There was a bad tackle on Alexis Sanchez, a clash, he left the pitch.
“Fans have to understand. There was a disciplinary sanction. Nothing serious happened. I was there yesterday too.. no problem”
Pires on Bein Sports: 'Claims in press there was a fight are false. I was there. There was a bad tackle on AS, a clash, he left the pitch'
— Matt Spiro (@mattspiro) March 7, 2017
Pires: 'Fans have to understand. There was a disciplinary sanction. Nothing serious happened. I was there yesterday too.. no problem' (BeIN)
— Matt Spiro (@mattspiro) March 7, 2017
Pires also confirms on @beinsports_FR that when Sanchez walked out of training, Laurent Koscielny followed, as captain, to talk to him'
— Matt Spiro (@mattspiro) March 7, 2017