Arsenal fans bid farewell to Alexis Sanchez

Big things were predicted of Sanchez upon the completion of his £35 million move to Arsenal in the summer of 2014. Alongside the likes of Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud and now Alexandre Lacazette, the Chilean was expected to thrive within the heart of Wenger’s attacking front-line.

 

The former Udinese and Barcelona frontman has rarely disappointed out on the pitch, and whilst he has failed to fill his own individual trophy cabinet with endless accolades whilst operating for the Gunners, Sanchez certainly brought a great deal to the Premier League throughout his ongoing stint down in North London.

 

If you can't beat him join him?? this here folks was the life changer #MUFC #sanchez pic.twitter.com/Jgous8IJaB

— Frankline Kiptoo (@FranklineKipto8) January 19, 2018

 

Yet with a whole host of elite European powerhouses reportedly in the market for somebody of Sanchez’ glowing skill-set this January, the Chilean’s upcoming exit from the Emirates feels almost as imminent as his undoubted ability to set the English top-flight alight.

 

Despite mounting interest from Pep Guardiola and Manchester City in the weeks leading up towards the current winter transfer period, it seems as if Manchester United have ultimately won the race to land the attacker’s in-demand signature.

 

Pep admits defeat in the Alexis Sanchez race… pic.twitter.com/9DtYlEPNPJ

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 19, 2018

 

Arsenal fans have now been forced to bid a reluctant farewell to their former talisman. Alexis Sanchez seemingly represented everything they could have asked for in a player. He could score untold finishes from all across the pitch, whilst also serving to excite via his maverick approach to playing football.

 

When it comes to scoring great goals from all manner of surprising angles, few have fared any better among the English game than Alexis Sanchez in recent seasons. The Chilean international has simply proven a joy to behold on the whole, a notion seemingly confirmed by the many Premier League onlookers who love to watch him in action.

 

?ALEXIS SANCHEZ: TAKE ME ANYWHERE!?
Man Utd? Man City? Chelsea? Newcastle? pic.twitter.com/DdQt4VKzIq

— ⚽️442oons⚽️ (@442oons) January 19, 2018

 

Alexis Sanchez will therefore prove something of a big miss down at the Emirates. His upcoming departure reaffirms Arsenal’s waning status within the modern era, especially if Arsene Wenger is unable to retain the services of Mesut Ozil before the new league campaign gets underway.

 

In selling arguably their very best player to direct rivals in the shape of Manchester United, a decision previously committed by the Gunners when offloading none other than Robin van Persie to the Red Devils in the summer of 2012, it seems as if Arsenal are failing to learn from their past mistakes.

 

That feeling when it's your last day #Sanchez pic.twitter.com/NKVbOcJZ6i

— RyanPike (@ryaanpike) January 19, 2018

 

Not only are they losing one of the world’s most talented players from their first-team squad this January, Arsenal are effectively handing Alexis Sanchez over to Manchester United for a fee that could be considered somewhat negligible given the Chilean’s previous worth within the transfer market.

 

Wenger clearly should have opted to cut ties with the South American and send him packing in the summer. Failure to do so has made his team into a potential laughing stock once again, whilst Jose Mourinho can seemingly be found rubbing his hands at the mere prospect of signing Alexis Sanchez.

 

#MUFC fans… do you agree with supporter Chris about Alexis Sanchez? pic.twitter.com/KiXaytsxNi

— BBC RM United (@BBCRMunited) January 19, 2018

 

Although each of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could theoretically be heading to the Emirates this January, it remains to be seen whether or not either of the aforementioned players could ever become a real success at Arsenal. Just ask Alexandre Lacazette how he has found life down in North London thus far…

 

Whilst Sanchez has arguably proven something of a negative influence within the Gunners changing-room of late, leading some Arsenal fans to want him out of their club regardless of the pure class and talent he often exudes – it feels as if Wenger has come up short once again in his quest to reclaim his former dominance among the Premier League.

 

BREAKING: Jose Mourinho confirms a deal for Alexis Sanchez is “not done”, but Manchester United “are there” pic.twitter.com/YDLGwc4m7d

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 19, 2018

 

The Frenchman’s already distant title ambitions seem further away than ever before. No team can seek to produce such an achievement without all their best players fit and firing for their manager. As Wenger seems to be losing the faith of his players with every passing week these days, Arsenal’s future within the wider European scene is looking fundamentally bleak.

 

Can the Gunners still be considered one of England’s most prestigious and grandest sides with such an ongoing atmosphere of turmoil taking place behind the scenes at their club? Arguably not…

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