The striker arrived at Arsenal in the summer of 2014 on a long term contract from FC Barcelona and hit the ground running in the England, scoring 25 goals and 12 assists in his debut season with the gunners while also winning the English FA Cup and the club’s player of the season award.
Alexis Sanches followed his debut season in England with a promising but injury affected season, registering 17 goals and 11 assists for the gunners in 41 outings. He however bounced back with an astonishing performance in the following season which saw him named among the top six performers in the Premier League 2016/17 season and the first Arsenal player to score more than 20 goals in a premier league season after Robin Van Persie in the 2011/12 season. Alexis scored 24 and in the league and 30 in all competitions for the gunners while also adding 18 assists to his name that season. However, Arsenal did not make the top four and subsequently missing out in the UEFA Champions League the following season.
The relationship between the player and the club started turned sour and throughout the summer of 2017, Alexis was linked with a move away from Arsenal and almost secured a move to Manchester City on the transfer deadline day but Arsenal’s deal for his replacement Thomas Lemar was not accepted by Atletico Madrid, Hence, disappointed Alexis remained at Arsenal.
He scored seven premier league goals before January when he finally get his move but to Manchester United instead in a swap deal which saw Manchester United’s Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan move to the Emirates.
Speaking about the signing of the Chilean, United boss Jose Mourinho said, “Alexis is one of the best attacking players in the world and he will complete our very young and talented group of attacking players”.
“He will bring his ambition, drive and personality, qualities that make a Manchester United player and a player that makes the team stronger and the supporters proud of their club dimension and prestige.” he added.
Sanchez made his United debut in a 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur and at the end of the season, he scored just three goals in all competitions for the Red devils.
The dip in form continues for Alexis and in the 2018/19 season, he scored 2 goals in 27 appearances for Manchester United in all competitions. A poor form which also cost Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho his job before the end of the season as United appointed former player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Speaking to Paddy Power, former United player Ince said “It’s a strange one when you talk about Alexis Sanchez because, when you look back at his Arsenal days, you’re talking about one of the Premier League’s best attackers. He was a great player there”.
“We all know what happened next, but something that a lot of people overlook is Mesut Ozil – the reason Sanchez was so good at Arsenal was because he had Ozil next to him.
“As a pair, they just had this telepathy with each other, they instinctively understood each other, they knew the runs the other were going to make without looking.
“Most good things that Alexis did at Arsenal were connected with Ozil.
“And it works both ways, they made each other better – look at Ozil since Sanchez left, he’s not been the same player. Neither have.” He continued.
The validity of the comments is there for all to see, both Sanchez and Özil have not been at their best since the former secured his transfer away from the Emirates.
At the beginning of the current season, Sanchez joined Inter Milan on a season long loan in the hope to find his feet again.
When asked whether he regrets joining leaving Arsenal for Manchester United, the Chilean told the BBC:
“I’m very happy I went to Manchester United. I’ve always said that. It’s the club that’s won the most in England.
He continued by saying “When I went to Arsenal it was fantastic – I was happy there – but United were growing at the time, they were buying players to win something.
“I wanted to join them and win everything. I don’t regret going there.”
Sanchez finally made his debut for the Nerazzurri in a 1-0 home win over his former employer Udinese, on September 14, coming on as a substitute in the 79th minutes for Matteo Politano.
Later that month he scored his first Inter Milan goal in a 3-1 away win at Sampdoria but was later sent off when he received a second yellow for dissent early into the second half. That has been the only goal for him at Inter having made 15 appearances in all competitions. He has been affected by a series of injuries and lack of match fitness.
He has struggled to replicate his stunning form while at Arsenal. Speaking in a press conference back in January, Manchester United’s Norwegian boss said: “Alexis will come back in the summer and will prove you all wrong.”
But that statement surely comes too early as now, the club will be looking for means to offload the former Barcelona man. Recent reports coming from Inter is that the Italian club has no intention of making a permanent move for the striker who has not impress in his time with them.
Finding a buyer for the 31-year-old could be tricky giving his huge pay packet and his current contract expires not at United until the summer of 2022.
With the unending rumor linking Jadon Sancho with a move to the Old Trafford, a success for United in that deal could spell another bad year to come for the Chilean as Sancho will be a sure starter at United. Sanches dip in form already made him lose his place in the United team and Sancho in the squad will mean he will have to endure another miserable campaign if United can’t get him loaned out.
The future looks uncertain for a player who was once one of the best in the English premier league but the more he is unable to return to his former glory, it’s Manchester United who tends to lose more due to the huge wages he earns at the club.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
