Arsenal: Grading January transfer window moves

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Swapping Alexis Sanchez for Henrikh Mkhitaryan – B+

This was perhaps the most high-profile and significant move of the window. Certainly, the departure of Alexis Sanchez was something that was anticipated. The problem was the mechanics of it. Where would he go? What would Arsenal receive in return?

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Well, it remains to be seen how that transpires. Sanchez went to a direct rival in Manchester United. That is never nice. (More on this later). But Arsenal, in Henrikh Mkhitaryan, received a player, not just cash, as a replacement. That is important.

The two will now forever be inexorably linked and, in all honesty, it is difficult to give an accurate grade on this trade until their two respective careers at their new clubs have fully played out. Having said that, Sanchez had just six months remaining on his contract. He could have left for nothing at the end of the year. To get a player of Mkhitaryan’s talent and calibre as compensation is no bad dealing.

I cannot, though, give this a higher rating, although I wanted to, simply because Arsenal should never have been in this situation. They may have climbed out of the hole quite impressively, but they should never have started digging in the first place. So, for that reason, I can grade it no higher than a B+.