Arsenal: The double-up could actually bring progress

My fears were at their greatest when it seemed as though Alexis Sanchez was set to leave Arsenal. But if the club is able to double up on the replacements for the Chilean, his departure could actually bring progress.

I never wanted Arsenal to sell Alexis Sanchez. Not in the summer; not now. The reason being was a simple one: the money that would be earned did not subsidise the drop-off in quality in the team with the Chilean gone. Becuase of their complacency and downright incompetence with his contract, they had already forfeited their ability to receive the type of sums a player of Sanchez’s calibre deserves. They had made their bed; they just had to sleep in it.

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I thought that because I was extremely concerned about the club’s ability and willingness to sign a capable replacement. There are not many players who share the same skill and impact as Sanchez; there certainly aren’t many players who share the same skill and impact as Sanchez in the price range that Arsenal would be looking. I was hesitant, to say the least.

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But in recent days, those hesitancies are, slowly, being addressed, and the key difference is the impending sale of Theo Walcott, who himself only has 18 months remaining on his current deal. While little has been said from Arsenal or Arsene Wenger, Sam Allardyce confirmed his interest in the player before Everton’s match against Spurs, and recent reports suggest talks are progressing regarding a £20 million move.

That drastically changes the spending landscape of the Gunners. It was initially thought that they would only have the Sanchez money to reinvest in a replacement. But if they are able to pair both the Sanchez and Walcott money, then they are equipped with a far greater kitty than many perhaps first thought. Moreover, there is much talk of Henrikh Mkhitaryan being involved in a swap plus cash deal for Sanchez. If, say, Arsenal were able to complete a deal that involved Mkhitaryan and £10 million, then they would have £30 million in transfer fees to re-commit to a new player.

And that is where the Sanchez debacle can be turned on its head. There is a reason to believe that progress could actually be made from this shambolic, embarrassing affair.

There are growing rumours linking Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with a North London move, as well as young Bordeaux winger Malcom. Both in their own right would be an excellent addition.

Malcom is an inordinately talented young attacker with the basic skillset that could be developed and fine-tuned into a top-tier, creative midfielder. Aubameyang, meanwhile, has been one of the best strikers on the continent for a number of years, scoring 88 goals in his 103 Bundesliga, Champions League and Europa League games over a two-and-a-half year period.

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These are players that boast the quality or the talent or the pedigree to genuinely replace Sanchez. They are not just pretenders. They are not just hopeful dreams. They are not just unfounded optimism. They are progress, and that is very exciting indeed. So, Arsenal, how are you going to cock this one up?