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Arsenal: End of Alexis Sanchez era delivers stern reminder
By Rory Picton
Alexis Sanchez became known for some rather unattractive tantrums at Arsenal, but was he right to act like he was “bigger than the club”?
Alexis Sanchez has completed his move to Manchester United. He has thrown Arsenal Football Club upside down with the internal rift he caused on and off the pitch. Arsenal fans haven’t seen that kind of attitude and disrespect since Emmanuel Adebayor. So the question must be asked – was he right to act that way?
Alexis Sanchez joined Arsenal in the summer of 2014 from Barcelona. He went on to score 25 times in all competitions that season. From there, he went on to be a consistent performer for Arsenal with a few hiccups, a particularly this season.
Maybe this season all that transfer talk has got to him. In his past two seasons, he has scored 47 times in all competitions. This season has netted only eight which, by his standards, is low.
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Alexis has always been the shining star for Arsenal, putting the team on his back and netting those crucial goals. This season fans have seen a very different No. 7.
When the Gunners were struggling he would start to break out the ever-more prevalent tantrum. He reminded me of a spoiled superstar who just wants to be the “one”. Football has always been a team sport, there are ten other players on that field who also want to win. To neglect your teammates and try to do everything yourself doesn’t look so good for a “world-class” player.
Moving on
At Manchester United, he will get a huge pay package. Does he deserve it? Yes and no. No, because he is 29 now, that’s a players “peak” age. Yes because he is a “world-class” player who has put in the hard work.
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He will be making more than any other player in the Premier League, according to the reports, and it’s hard to say he hasn’t earned that milestone, as he has put in the hard work. Yet, maybe his performance/tantrum this year should hinder his ability to be considered the best player in England.
Arsenal is getting a great player in return from Manchester United in the form of Henrikh Mkhitaryan. He was a great player for Borussia Dortmund and a bit-part player for Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.
Mkhitaryan can play many roles up front as he is just a natural athlete. He has an eye for goal and can play that killer pass just like Mesut Ozil. The only “problem” is how is Arsene Wenger going to fit Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Lacazette, Wilshere, Ramsey, Xhaka, etc. all into the same lineup?
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Alexis Sanchez can go, I have no problem with that. It will be tough for a little while just getting over the fact that we just lost one of our best players to Manchester United. Again. But the Alexis Sanchez era is over and we as fans need to move on and look towards the future of this amazing club. Because, after all, no one is bigger than this club, nor will anyone ever be.