Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny stays in own half as rest of squad celebrate Alexis Sanchez’s second against Crystal Palace
The stand-in skipper was the only Gunners outfield player to not congratulate the Chilean's brace at Selhurst Park
LAURENT KOSCIELNY was Arsenal's only outfield player to NOT celebrate Alexis Sanchez's second against Crystal Palace, adding to Thierry Henry's claims there is a rift in the dressing room.
The Chilean supremo netted a second half brace as the Gunners narrowly beat the Eagles 3-2 at Selhurst Park to move level on points with rivals Tottenham.
Former Arsenal star Henry said after the match on Thursday evening that he believes there is a rift in the squad between contract rebel Sanchez, and other senior members.
The 29-year-old's contract at the Emirates expires in the summer, and there is no indication he will pen a new deal as rumours linking him with a switch to Manchester City intensifies.
Only a handful of players congratulated Sanchez on putting the North Londoners 2-1 ahead, with stand-in skipper Koscielny, Jack Wilshere, Sead Kolasinac, Hector Bellerin and Calum Chambers celebrating amongst themselves.
And when the ex-Barcelona ace slotted home to put the North Londoners two goals ahead, the French international stayed rooted to his spot in his own half.
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Henry, speaking in the Sky Sports studio, said of the incident: "There is a division in the team. He (Sanchez) is asking them to come and celebrate. ‘Why are they not coming? Don’t you want to celebrate?’
"I don’t know what the situation is there but usually when your team scores you don’t look at who scores.
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"If you start to think, ‘Shall I go, shall I not go’ there’s something we don’t know exactly what’s happening.
"What I’m trying to say is you’re not here for Alexis Sanchez, you’re here for Arsenal. Arsenal scored, go and celebrate.
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“I noticed it (Sanchez gesturing). Sanchez made me notice it. It was like he thought he was alone.”
The two-time Copa America winner netted his first goals in a month after his double against Palace, bringing his tally to eight for the season.
Next up for Arsenal is away tie against West Brom at the Hawthorns on Sunday.