Arsenal: 7 former players who ruined their legacy

Alexis Sanchez – The piano man

Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez came to Arsenal in the summer of 2014 from Barcelona. He was an immediate hit and became a fan favorite.

Upon signing with the club, Sanchez said:

"“So happy to be joining Arsenal, a club which has a great manager, a fantastic squad of players, huge support around the world and a great stadium in London. I’m looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and to be playing for Arsenal in the Premier League and Champions League. I will give my best to Arsenal and want to make all the supporters happy.”"

Sanchez formed a magnificent partnership with Mesut Ozil. In 2016/2017 Sanchez came in third for the Premier League’s Golden Boot with 24 goals and in his three and half years with the Gunners, the Chilean scored an impressive 80 goals in all competitions while making 166 appearances.

Unfortunately, Sanchez was a high maintenance personality that often cared more about his own individual statistics than the team’s results. Sanchez drew the ire of the Arsenal fans when he tried to push through a move to Manchester City in the summer of 2017 and, without a suitable replacement, negotiations between the two clubs broke off.

Unable to get his desired move, Sanchez became a divisive figure in the Arsenal dressing room and would often sulk and self isolate from his teammates.

By the time the January transfer window opened in 2018, Arsenal was more than happy to see the back of Sanchez. His original suitors, Manchester City, were no longer interested and that’s when Manchester United swooped in.

Leaving Arsenal for rivals Manchester United was bad enough, but the way that his new club announced the arrival of Sanchez, was beyond obnoxious.

https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/955500480582500353

In the end, Sanchez was a bust in Manchester. One half of one of football’s very worst transfers. Ever. In two seasons he scored just five goals and was eventually loaned out to Inter where he currently plays.

In a video he posted on his Instagram page, Sanchez admitted he made a mistake leaving Arsenal.

"“I want to tell you about my period at United, about many things that have been said which made me look bad,’  ‘Before going there, I had an agreement with Manchester City but it didn’t work out and I got the chance to join Manchester United. It was something nice for me, as a kid I liked the club a lot. “After the first training I had I realised many things. When I got home and I asked my family and my representative: “Can my contract be terminated and can I to return to Arsenal? “They were laughing about it but I really felt there were some bad things going on at the club which I did not like.”"

For the Chilean, it was too little too late. He could have become a legend in north London, but now he’s seen as a greedy and selfish player that cared more about his stats than his teammates.