Many were left shocked ahead of Arsenal’s encounter against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday as star man Alexis Sanchez was omitted from the starting lineup and it has been reported over the last 24 hours by various media outlets that the Chilean international was dropped by manager Arsene Wenger as punishment for his training ground bust-up with teammates.

Wenger was naturally questioned regarding such huge claims about Sanchez ahead of Arsenal’s Round of 16 Champions League second leg clash against Bayern Munich but the veteran boss categorically denied the reports by stating that the alleged falling out has been fabricated by the media.

The Frenchman replied when asked about the bust-up with Sanchez, “I am not aware, nothing at all. I explained after the game I decided to go for a more direct option, that was the unique reason for my decision.

 “Completely false. I understand you have to fill newspapers. All the rest, his attitude - he’s a committed player and sometimes has excessive behaviours but you have that many times in the history of every squad.

“I shook hands with him on Saturday morning and after the game. You decided I did not shake hands. I shake hands everyday with Alexis Sanchez.

“That is the most important thing, that we focus on what’s important and not the individual. Alexis played in all the games and when we didn’t perform away from home, we lost as well.

“We lost at Man City, Liverpool, and Chelsea, and that’s what I think is the most important thing, to focus and produce as a team.”

Arsenal will not allow Sanchez to join a Premier League team

There was already a lot of speculation surrounding the future of Alexis Sanchez at Arsenal due to the fact that he had not signed a contract extension and the doubts have intensified over the past few days after it emerged that the Chilean international was involved in a training ground bust-up with his teammates.

While nothing has been confirmed, there is a distinct possibility that Arsenal might have to part ways with Sanchez this summer and the Daily Mail now claim that the Gunners will only allow the 28-year-old to leave for a foreign team.

Arsenal sold Robin van Persie to rivals Manchester United and the duo of Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy to Manchester City, and all three players went on to win the Premier League title following their departures from the Emirates.

The Daily Mail state that Arsenal want to avoid a similar occurrence with Sanchez and are not willing to sell him to any direct Premier League rival, meaning the duo of PSG and Bayern Munich have been handed a boost in their hopes of signing the attacker.

Team news ahead of Bayern

Having suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 encounter against Bayern Munich, Arsenal virtually stand no chance of overturning the deficit in the return leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

Nonetheless, Arsenal will have to salvage some pride and they will have to do so without the services of Mesut Ozil, who is still unavailable due to illness. Santi Cazorla and Mohamed Elneny are the other players definitely ruled out while it remains to be seen as to whether Alexis Sanchez will be handed a start.

Predicted line-ups

Arsenal

Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Gibbs; Ramsey, Xhaka; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Welbeck; Sanchez.

Bayern Munich

Neuer; Rafinha, Boateng, Hummels, Bernat; Vidal, Alonso, Robben; Thiago, Ribery; Lewandowski.