Alexis Sanchez all smiles again after Crystal Palace humiliation... as glum Arsene Wenger prepares Arsenal for trip north to Middlesbrough

  • Arsenal suffered a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Crystal Palace last week 
  • Alexis Sanchez cut a disappointed and grumpy figure during the humiliation
  • The Gunners travel to the Riverside Stadium to play Middlesbrough on Monday
  • Arsene Wenger's side have managed only one win in their last four outings 

It was a look which is beginning to define Arsenal's season. Alexis Sanchez threw his head into his hands and grimaced as Crystal Palace romped to a comfortable 3-0 win at Selhurst Park last week.

It epitomised a season which is seemingly dropping off the edge of the cliff for the Gunners, shrouded in uncertainty coupled with lucklustre showings on the field.

Sanchez, a crucial cog in the north London club's wheel, embodied the dejection which surrounded Arsenal during the defeat and the Gunners boss mirrored the Chilean's outlook. 

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez appeared back to his happiest after the loss to Crystal Palace

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez appeared back to his happiest after the loss to Crystal Palace

The Chilean shared a laugh with his team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during the session
Sanchez and Oxlade-Chamberlain joke around on the training ground

The Chilean shared a laugh with his team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during the session

The forward appeared to shake off the negativity surrounding the Gunners during training

The forward appeared to shake off the negativity surrounding the Gunners during training

However Arsene Wenger could not shake his glum look as he watched on from the sidlines

However Arsene Wenger could not shake his glum look as he watched on from the sidlines

Arsene Wenger watched on from the sidelines and looked as though he was carrying the weight of the world, let alone the club, on his shoulders.


But it appears Sanchez is back smiling again as his side gear up to face Middlesbrough on Monday. The forward was pictured in training sharing a laugh with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and generally seemed in good spirits at their London Colney training base.

The same, however, cannot be said for the Arsenal boss - who could not shake his look of concern, an expression which is becoming increasingly prominent as the season draws to a close.

Arsenal's trip to the north east on Monday represents a real chance for the Frenchman's side to get back to winning ways. 

Sanchez cut a dejected a figure as his side lost 3-0 to Crystal Palace last week

Sanchez cut a dejected a figure as his side lost 3-0 to Crystal Palace last week

The Chile international looked bereft of ideas as his side slumped to humiliating defeat 

The Chile international looked bereft of ideas as his side slumped to humiliating defeat 

Wenger shared the forward's grumpiness at Selhurst Park as the Frenchman looked on 

Wenger shared the forward's grumpiness at Selhurst Park as the Frenchman looked on 

Lowly Middlesbrough are winless in their last 14 Premier League games and the Gunners will see the fixture as a serious opportunity to regain much-needed form.

And Sanchez, Arsenal's top scorer with 22 goals as well as providing 14 assists, must be fit and firing for the Boro clash to give Wenger's men the best chance of leaving the Riverside Stadium with all three points.

The Chile international's contribution this season has been invaluable. But the lingering doubt over whether Sanchez will stay at the Emirates is like a rain cloud which will simply not shift.

Sanchez, along with Mesut Ozil, have been offered lucrative bumper contracts to remain in north London but are yet to pen a deal. It is understood that a £300,000-a-week offer for Sanchez had been tabled but Wenger has remained coy over talk of an extension.

However, the Chile international cut a different picture during training on Sunday

However, the Chile international cut a different picture during training on Sunday

The forward unleashes a powerful shot during Arsenal's Sunday training session
Sanchez's eyes close as he hammers the ball during shooting practice

The forward unleashes a powerful shot during Arsenal's training session on Sunday

The Gunners' top scorer was back in business on the training ground ahead of their next game

The Gunners' top scorer was back in business on the training ground ahead of their next game

The Frenchman appeared as concerned as ever as he conducts his side's training session
Wenger talks to his fellow Frenchman Laurent Koscielny

The Frenchman appeared as concerned as ever as he conducts his side's training session

'First of all, I cannot confirm that we have offered that,' Wenger said.

'Secondly, we will do as always. We have to consider our financial potential to sustain the wages for the whole squad.

'What is for sure is that what is paid per week today was 20 years ago per year. Will that continue to go up? I don't know. I'm always tempted to say no but I was wrong on that front.

Wenger discusses tactics with the Gunners' assistant manager Steve Bould

Wenger discusses tactics with the Gunners' assistant manager Steve Bould

Wenger keeps his hands warm in his jacket during a cold day in north London

Wenger keeps his hands warm in his jacket during a cold day in north London

Wenger finally lets a little smile slip as something raises the spirits of the Frenchman

Wenger finally lets a little smile slip as something raises the spirits of the Frenchman

Granit Xhaka closes in on Francis Coquelin as the Frenchman offloads the ball

Granit Xhaka closes in on Francis Coquelin as the Frenchman offloads the ball

Mesut Ozil skips away from the challenge of Mohamed Elneny as the pair don matching boots

Mesut Ozil skips away from the challenge of Mohamed Elneny as the pair don matching boots

Sanchez opens his legs up during a sprinting session as he dons a wide grin on his face

Sanchez opens his legs up during a sprinting session as he dons a wide grin on his face

Alex Iwobi attempts to close down Ozil as the German looks to clip a pass to a team-mate

Alex Iwobi attempts to close down Ozil as the German looks to clip a pass to a team-mate

Per Mertesacker attempts to fend off the challenges of Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud

Per Mertesacker attempts to fend off the challenges of Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud

Gunners defenders go head to head as left back Nacho Monreal tracks Carl Jenkinson

Gunners defenders go head to head as left back Nacho Monreal tracks Carl Jenkinson

Hector Bellerin carries the ball during training as his side prepare for Middlesbrough

Hector Bellerin carries the ball during training as his side prepare for Middlesbrough

Ozil looks to attack a cross with Jenkinson keeping a close eye on the ball into the box

Ozil looks to attack a cross with Jenkinson keeping a close eye on the ball into the box