Arsene Wenger insisted today that Alexis Sanchez "is very focused and very happy" - and it's hard to argue after this afternoon's training session.
The Chilean was on top form at London Colney amid rampant speculation about his future.
After a summer of uncertainty, Manchester City are said to be prepared a massive offer of £15million-a-year to lure him away from the Emirates.
Sanchez is set to return to Arsenal's line-up for their visit to Liverpool on Sunday and Wenger is eager for his No.1 asset to deliver in spite of an unsettled build-up to the season.
Jack Wilshere was also on form, proving a menace to new man Sea Kolasinac with a cheeky nutmeg after his shocking send off in the week while playing for the Under-23s.
Wenger has said the incident, which saw Wilshere at the centre of a near brawl, won't impact his view on the player or his chances of a return to the first team.
Wenger hasn't guaranteed Sanchez will start at Anfield, though.
“I don't think he is too disturbed by all the noises – players at that level are used to it. Overall he looks in good shape. He has worked really hard and he is ready to play.”
Wenger expects Sanchez still to be an Arsenal player when he returns from international duty next month, after the transfer deadline – and he still hasn't given up hope of him signing a new deal with the Gunners, adding: “He is very focused and very happy.
“The fact that he goes into the last year of his contract doesn't mean we can't extend it. At the moment we haven't – we just want to focus as a team and not look too much at the contracts of everybody.”
Sanchez last appeared for Arsenal in their FA Cup final triumph against Chelsea in May and his last competitive game was for Chile against Germany in the Confederations Cup on July 2.
Gunners skipper Laurent Koscielny, who has missed the first three games of the season through suspension, is also available for Wenger at Anfield.