Arsene Wenger insists that Alexis Sanchez is still "happy" at Arsenal with less than 10 months remaining on his contract.
Sanchez, 28, saw a deadline day move to Manchester City fall through after the Gunners failed in a bid to sign Thomas Lemar from Monaco, and he will be able to open contract negotiations over a free transfer to a European club next summer as of Jan. 1.
The Chile international, who missed the start of the season through injury, made his mark on the Europa League on Thursday by scoring a stunning goal in the 3-1 defeat of Cologne.
"We love Alexis," the Daily Mail quoted him as saying. "You know he is a special character but we all love him. I think he is well loved and he's accepted -- and he's happy here."
Arsenal's lost 4-0 to Liverpool before the international break, and Wenger is confident his players are ready to face another of the Premier League's top teams when they make the trip to Chelsea on Sunday.
"We lose all together and win all together," he added. "It is not just about one -- it's about the team performance. That's everyone who comes on or who starts is giving 100 percent.
"I believe that, on the day [against Liverpool], everything went against us. We were not sharp physically. It was three days before the end of the transfer window and some had their heads in and out. It was special circumstances and you have to take that into consideration.
"We had a very positive end to last season and we played very well in games against the big teams, like Manchester City and Chelsea. In one game, it's like that: the judgement is definite and permanent. But a lack of quality is not permanent. We can do something about that."