It has finally come to pass, Alexis Sanchez has officially left Arsenal football club. The Chilean seems to have been hankering for a move from the Gunners for an eternity and has finally got his wish, moving to Manchester United with midfield misfit Henrihk Mkhitaryan going in the other direction.
Sanchez took to instagram today to say goodbye to the Arsenal faithful:
Gracias por todo Gunners ! I want to say thanks to the Technical Staff, to the medical team and all teammates with whom I shared many nice things for the club and especially those people who do not see themselves on the covers, but without them nothing would be possible, which are there to prepare food for us and take care of us day by day, those who keep our shoes clean and the grass in the best conditions. Many thanks to you for helping us to improve every day. Thank you very much ?.
There are people (former club players) who have spoken with no knowledge of what happens inside the club and cause damage. I must say I always gave 100%, until the last day, when I asked to the Mister to be in the team, because I wanted to be a contribution.
I remember today, a conversation I had with Henry, a historic Arsenal player, who changed club for the same reason and today is my turn.
Thanks for everything Gunners! All we achieved and the good moments that I gave to the club, I want to dedicate it to the fans, they are the most important. Thanks for every time you sing Alexis Sanchez Baby
The comments about his conversation with Henry will surely rankle among Arsenal fans, though Sanchez does have a point about the similarities with the Frenchman who left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007. Henry went on to win two La Liga titles as well as a Champions League, among other honours. If Sanchez is half as successful in his new surroundings, the move will have been a success for him.
For Gunners fans however, Sanchez will never be thought of as fondly as the Frenchman, with the constant speculation as well as patchy form emblematic of his final months at the club.