Some Arsenal fans have been fuming at the protracted move of Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United, but I for one am taking the positives.
Arsene Wenger this week insisted that the sale of Robin Van Persie to Old Trafford of six seasons ago was worse than the current transfer, and you have to agree in all honesty.
The Dutchman forced his way out of the club having grown frustrated with a lack of silverware, and most likely an issue with the club’s transfer policy which had been strained whilst the new stadium was being paid off, and left our club for a lowly £24 Million fee to join the Red Devils.
Our manager insisted that he would no longer allow his players to be sold to United, but we are all aware that it is only a matter of time before they are to announce the arrival of current star Alexis Sanchez, but the deal is not one-way.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is firmly expected to be announced as moving in the opposite direction as part of the deal, and he would be a huge signing for us, and with us also linked with current Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could mean we are signing two top players who already have a vast understanding between them.
Alexis had to leave the club, with his attitude becoming highly disruptive in the dressing room, and we all know fully well that he was going to leave for free this summer regardless, and the prospect of landing a top player in the process is a blessing. We also know that we haven’t been getting the best out of our want-away forward, and his exit could well end any distractions within the club.
Should we be happy about the Mkhitaryan-Alexis swap deal? Could we even be getting the better deal? Is Wenger right to insist that the Van Persie sale was worse than any impending Alexis move?
Pat J