Arsene Wenger has seen Alexis Sanchez kissing the Arsenal badge and told the Chilean he must accept that he is going nowhere.
Exit talk surrounding the Chile international sparked towards the end of the 2016-17 campaign has dragged on into the summer, with the 28-year-old having entered the final 12 months of his current contract.
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No extension has been put in place, with Sanchez offering little indication that he wishes to agree fresh terms, and the likes of Manchester City are closely monitoring the situation.
Sanchez has returned to training with the Gunners following an extended break on the back of the Confederations Cup and being ‘sick’, and was in high spirits during a public session on Thursday.
He was spotted ‘kissing’ the badge on his training shirt while in conversation with fellow contract rebel Mesut Ozil, before beating his chest.
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His actions were clearly in jest, but could offer some indication as his mindset.
Sanchez has seen it made abundantly clear that he will not be allowed to move on during the current transfer window, particularly to a Premier League rival.
He may, then, have accepted his fate, with Wenger stating once again at his latest press conference that he fully expects to be in a position to call on Sanchez throughout the 2017-18 campaign, and possibly beyond.
The Frenchman told reporters: "He is focused. My decision is clear, he will stay. He will accept that.
“[He is] good, you can see it in training. He needs to work on his fitness but he is sharp and looks like he has never been away.
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“I think he will be here for this season. If we manage to do it for more seasons we will.”
Sanchez netted 30 times for the Gunners last season, the first time he has reached that particular milestone in his career to date.
He was used in a central striking berth on a regular basis, but has seen Wenger bolster his ranks in that department this summer with the £46 million signing of France international Alexandre Lacazette.