Arsene Wenger denies fight with Alexis Sanchez, but nobody believes him

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Arsene Wenger inexplicably benched Alexis Sanchez for Arsenal’s big game against Liverpool on Saturday, then claimed his decision was a tactical one. As it turns out, that might not be true — Sanchez was reportedly benched for bad behavior in training last week.

Wenger has continued to try to protect his player in the aftermath of that story leaking, calling those reports “completely false.” His willingness to make himself look like a dunce in order to deflect criticism away from a player is admirable.

Sanchez and Wenger shook hands at training on Monday, but very few are buying that they’ve kissed and made up. Gunners legend Ian Wright says he’d leave if he was Sanchez, while Arsenal blog The Short Fuse thinks there are some deeper issues at play than a fight at training.

And well ... shouldn’t there be? Arsenal is underperforming in the league for the 12th year running. As football journalist Tony Barrett points out, if any club needs a top player to get angry and refuse to accept the status quo, it’s Arsenal.

Harry Kane’s opener for Spurs against Everton. (r/soccer)

U.S. Soccer now has a written policy requiring players to “stand respectfully during the playing of national anthems.”

Bayer Leverkusen has fired Roger Schmidt and replaced him with Tayfun Korkut. (Bundesliga)

The AC Milan ownership saga keeps getting dumber. Silvio Berlusconi’s company and Sino-Europe Sports might face a legal battle over SES’ €200 million deposit. (Football Italia)

Chelsea’s new 60,000-seat stadium has been approved. (We Ain’t Got No History)

Kaká suffered a hamstring injury in Orlando’s opener, and it might be serious. (The Mane Land)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Tyrone Mings have been charged with violent conduct for their tussles on Saturday.

Marco Reus got hurt this weekend, so expect to see a lot more Christian Pulisic. (Bild)

Cristiano Ronaldo is going to play against Napoli after missing this weekend with an injury. (Managing Madrid)

A Russian politician has a horrible idea to turn hooliganism into a sport.

Stephen Tudor on what it feels like to play in the Premier League just once. (The Set Pieces)

Shirsho Dasgupta on the politics that gave us Catenaccio and Total Football. (These Football Times)

James Yorke on Arsenal’s bad defense and Monaco’s great attack. (Stats Bomb)

MLS had a fun opening week, but some bad fan behavior in Atlanta.

Here’s what happened in the Premier League this weekend.

The USWNT played well, but fell to England. (Stars and Stripes FC)

Karim Benzema had his best game of the season for Madrid. (Managing Madrid)

And Lionel Messi was on his best form, too. (Barca Blaugranes)

Napoli beat Roma in a very fun match. (Chiesa Di Totti)

But Juventus couldn’t capitalize. (Black and White and Read All Over)

Bayern Munich had no problem beating Cologne. (Bavarian Football Works)

The USMNT Under-20s won their first ever CONCACAF youth title. (Stars and Stripes FC)

EPL: West Ham vs. Chelsea (3 p.m.) — On the DL, one of London’s nastiest rivalries.