Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez Chilean Exit March Incredibly Troubling

Alexis Sanchez leaves Arsenal to fly to Italy? No big deal. Chileans plan a massive march for Alexis to find a new team? Definitely a big deal.

We just witnessed our Chilean superstar Alexis Sanchez fly out to Italy, home of his biggest suitor, Juventus. Arsenal didn’t panic, and they shouldn’t be panicking. It’s a personal trip and will more than likely have no professional side effects.

Related: 5 Things We Learned Against Bayern Munich

What is troubling, however, are the thousands of Chileans who have decided to march in protest of Alexis Sanchez staying in North London.

In an age where marching is the surest sign of being disgruntled, this is actually very bothersome. According to the facebook event, over seven thousand people are planning on coming. Whether it shapes up or not is still in question, but it has gotten this far, there is interest, and that is the part that is concerning.

Alexis is a Chilean hero. He came from nothing and became the poster child of the nation. He brought them two Copa America’s and championed the Golden Age of Chilean football.

When he still played in Spain and Italy, he would spend his winter breaks going back to his hometown of Tocapilla and dressing up as Santi Clause. This guy is Chile so to see his country marching to have him to go another team might actually have a bigger impact than you’d think.

And it’s hard to argue with the group’s description:

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“Chileans are tired of watching one of our stars work alone so that their team can move forward. We do not want him to play in Madrid, not to return to Barcelona, the truth is that we do not give a damn what team to play, we just want to see him fight along with ten others to get results. No more alone.”

Never before has a few thousand fans determined where a player goes, but if ever it was going to have even the slightest impact, this would be that time. Alexis puts his country first and foremost and we have to assume that there were already lingering doubts in his head over whether or not he belonged at Arsenal.

Especially after Bayern Munich.

He will hear of this march, he will think on it, and whether he dismisses it as nothing or lets it even fester in the smallest bit is yet to be seen. I just can’t help but worry that his country may weight heavily on his decision.

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That is, assuming this all actually happens.