Alexis Sanchez, Arsene Wenger Shake Hands Amid Arsenal Training Row Rumours

Alexis Sanchez shook hands with Arsene Wenger on Monday morning after the Arsenal boss dropped him to the bench for Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Liverpool.

According to the Press Association and The Guardian, the pair had "a bust-up last week in which the forward stormed out of a practice session and was involved in a dressing-room slanging match with some of his team-mates."

Wenger denied as much, though, per Goal's Chris Wheatley and ESPN FC's Mattias Karen:

The Mirror's John Cross reported Sanchez "has become incredibly difficult to manage," so much so he "has almost become the toughest player to handle in Wenger's 20 years in charge of Arsenal."

Indeed, it was added "insiders believe his levels have dropped in training, his disaffection and attitude is in serious danger of spreading to other members of the squad," and according to unnamed sources, it is like "managing a spoilt schoolchild."

As such, Cross believes Wenger was fully justified in dropping Sanchez, but he does not anticipate a long-term rift between player and manager:

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville agreed with the reasons for the forward being benched:

Sanchez entered the fray at half-time with Arsenal already 2-0 down, and he assisted Danny Welbeck as the Gunners pulled a goal back, only to lose 3-1 when Georginio Wijnaldum netted a third late on.

The result leaves Arsenal in fifth place in the Premier League, albeit with a game in hand over the Reds.

Karen and Bleacher Report UK's James McNicholas believed Sanchez's absence proved costly during the match:

Indeed, the forward is perhaps the Gunners' best player—he has scored 20 goals this season, and his assist for Welbeck was his 17th in all competitions—and his determination and drive to win is unrivalled in Arsenal's team.

As such, dropping him for an important match at Anfield against one of Arsenal's closest rivals for a top-four finish can be seen as a questionable decision from a tactical point of view.

Equally, however, if Sanchez's attitude is causing problems off the pitch, Wenger is perfectly entitled to show his authority via team selection in the hopes of providing a wake-up call for the former Barcelona star.

Arsenal fans will no doubt be hoping their handshake on Monday signifies that any issues have been put to bed, so Wenger, Sanchez and the rest of the squad can focus on securing UEFA Champions League football once again.