Alexis Sanchez has looked back on his move away from Arsenal to Manchester United and revealed the move could have been scuppered after Arsenal failed to sign a replacement.
The Chilean left Arsenal for United in January 2018, months before his contract at the Emirates was set to expire.
Sanchez had been one of the best players at Arsenal for several seasons and the Gunners were keen to keep him at the Emirates for a few more.
However, they could not meet his contract demands and by January, he had just six months left on his deal. The Gunners had to find a replacement and make some money from his departure.
However, they could find no one. The attacker revealed this while discussing snubbing Manchester City for United.
Sanchez said via Mail Sport:
‘Everything was ready, there was a player who was going to go to Arsenal.
‘Then Wenger tells me you are not leaving because the other player did not want to come and they do not have another.’
Just Arsenal Opinion
Sanchez’s departure from Arsenal was one of the saddest episodes of the final months of Arsene Wenger’s reign.
The Frenchman had lost the power to convince top players to stay because footballers followed their paycheck and would leave if someone else offered them more money.
It was a sad episode for the club but time has moved on and we are doing just fine now.
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Am disappointed in Sanchez, Ozil, Van Persie, Anelka, Cesc, Adebayor and Nasri am not sure history will be kind to them.
Something went drastically wrong in Sanchez case, the faithfuls loves him but he lost interest, Nasri reason for leaving was that Wenger over played him, not sure even him believe that crap but the day Wenger sold Van Persie to his rival I knew then his mojo was gone for good.
It is said the heart always remember where it best felt love, Arsenal will always be a special place in Sanchez heart, as its believe immediately after he left to Man United he contracted his agent asking for a return to Arsenal.
The grass is not always greener on the other side lad.
These were decent players who lost faith in Mr. Wenger ,his loser philosophy and had quit to earn medals and honors elsewhere, the exception being Ozil who should not have been here in the first place. We had Lil Mozart and this was an unwanted addition when we desperately needed a striker. Only a moron would transfer your best players for someone else’s worst player. Unfortunately our folks glorify an idiot and shame the players who went to the pitch and took the kicks and knocks.
LC Are we identical twins, do you reckon!! We think SO ALIKE on AW and on that idle fraud Ozil, that it is uncanny!
All my long life I HAVE LOATHED AS CHEATS ALL IDLE PLAYERS WHO ARE CONTENT TO PICK UP HUGE WAGES FOR SIMPLY COASTING, WHILE CLAIMING TO BE “PLAYING”.
Emotional security always gets the best out of everyone. Wenger was a genius as he soaked up a culture of cheap owners and still delivered by enabling his players. He also loved the game and it’s beauty, that’s why he admired those players like Ozil, Ramsey, Gallas. Imagine what he could do with the money on offer now.
Alexis would look so good in this Arsenal setup