Yahoo News Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is used to transfer sagas like Alexis Sanchez - Gilberto Silva
Gilberto Silva believes there will be few surprises for Arsene Wenger concerning Alexis Sanchez given that the Arsenal manager has been through similar transfers sagas in the past.
Sanchez is yet to sign a new Arsenal contract, with the Chile star's current deal expiring next summer.
Wenger is adamant that he will not sell Sanchez - who has been linked with Bayern Munich, Paris-Saint Germain and Manchester City - and is prepared for the club to make a "financial sacrifice" and risk losing their star player for nothing in 2018.
While Sanchez's future is no closer to being resolved despite the 2017-18 season having already begin, Silva - who won the Premier League title and two FA Cups with the Gunners during their 'Invincibles' era - says Wenger has seen this all before.
Silva, speaking exclusively to 888sport, said: "We experienced similar situations to Sanchez a few times when I was there, with Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry, players who were so important to the club.
"It is always hard because the manager always has to answer the same question (whether it is true or not), but sometimes the manager doesn’t know what the player’s intentions are.
"But I’m sure Arsene is very used to this situation because it’s not the first time he has been through it."
Arsenal fans have grown used to losing stars with the likes of Vieira, Henry, Robin van Persie and Samir Nasri leaving in the past, but Silva hopes that Sanchez remains in north London.
"I hope Sanchez stays because it would be hard for the club to lose such a great player, after all that he’s done in the last few years," Silva added.
"Arsenal gave Sanchez an opportunity, but of course on his side he has contributed a lot with his goals and ability.
"I hope that it ends well for both sides and that we keep hold of him, and it would also be a good decision for him because Arsenal are one of the biggest clubs in the world.
"Maybe he is considering things that we don’t know about, things from his point of view that he’s dealing with on a daily basis."
