Arsenal: Henrikh Mkhitaryan not the right Manchester United player

Alexis Sanchez is seemingly set to join Manchester United. Arsenal are reportedly interested in a swap deal, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan being prominently mentioned. But the Armenian is not the right United player to chase. Anthony Martial is.

With every passing minute, it seems as though as Alexis Sanchez is increasingly likely to leave Arsenal and sign with Manchester United.

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First, it was his dropping to the bench against Chelsea. Then a few key reports revealed that senior members at the club were now of the feeling that Sanchez should be sold as long as a replacement could be found and acquired. And then, he was dropped from the playing squad altogether for the trip to Bournemouth, with Arsene Wenger confirming that a decision was imminent, stating that he did not know what would be the final outcome.

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The question, then, is no longer one of if. It’s not even one of when. It’s one of how. How will Sanchez sign for United? What wages will he be afforded? What fee will have been agreed upon? What players, if any, will be involved in a potential swap deal?

The latter question is one that has become more apparent as the saga has transpired. It was initially thought that Manchester City, not United, would be the team signing Sanchez. There was no mention of any sort of swap all season — the rumours died down after Raheem Sterling reportedly rejected the move on the final day of the summer transfer window. But as United have grown into the process, so has the number of players available to trade.

The first name to surface was Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The United midfielder has cut a forlorn and unwanted figure. He has been repeatedly dismissed by Jose Mourinho, found himself unused in key competitions, and has been the subject of several rumours criticising his attitude in training and his commitment to the club. The perfect candidate, seemingly.

But Arsenal do not need a Mkhitaryan-type player. In Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and the resurgent Jack Wilshere, they already possess the creative, ingenious, but centralised attackers that every top side requires. Mkhitaryan would be an astute addition to that group. But he would be an addition, not a complement. Arsenal need a variety to their attack.

That is where Anthony Martial enters the fray. Unlike Mkhitaryan, Martial is a more natural winger, blessed with searing pace, sharp, athletic dribbling, and a willingness and intelligence to be direct, when his afforded the opportunity to be so. And Wenger is reportedly interested in signing Martial as a makeweight for Sanchez. He is certainly the United player that I would rather see the Gunners pursue.

Next: Arsenal: Top 3 Alexis Sanchez replacements

There is great uncertainty in regards to the whole Sanchez saga. It seems to be drawing to a conclusion, even if Wenger himself does not know what it is. The manner of this deal will ultimately determine the success of this deal. Sell and replace Sanchez well, and Arsenal could actually improve from this situation, not falter. Martial would be doing that; Mkhitaryan would not.