Now Sanchez hits back at critics, former Arsenal players

Alexis Sanchez [Photo: Courtesy]

Alexis Sanchez settled into his new surroundings at Manchester United and immediately took aim at former Arsenal players.

The swap deal, which had been talked of exhaustively, finally came to fruition on Monday night with Sanchez making the move to Old Trafford and Henrikh Mkhitaryan heading to north London.

Sanchez claimed he left Arsenal for the same reason as Thierry Henry, the club’s record scorer, who departed for Barcelona in 2007 to better his career. In the same Instagram post, he directed unhappiness at former players who criticised the decision.

Last week, Martin Keown branded Sanchez “football’s biggest mercenary” and Ian Wright claimed in December he had “clocked off”.

Always gave 100%

Sanchez said: “There are people (former club players) who have spoken with no knowledge of what happens inside the club and cause damage. “I must say I always gave 100%, until the last day, when I asked the Mister (manager Arsene Wenger) to be in the team, because I wanted to be a contribution.”

Sanchez referred to Henry, who won the Champions League and two La Liga titles at Barcelona.

“I remember today, a conversation I had with Henry, a historic Arsenal player, who changed club for the same reason and today is my turn,” said the 29-year-old, also offering gratitude to Arsenal, where he won two FA Cups in his three full seasons.

“Thanks for everything Gunners. All we achieved and the good moments that I gave to the club, I want to dedicate it to the fans, they are the most important. Thanks for every time you sing ‘Alexis Sanchez Baby’.

“I want to say thanks to the technical staff, to the medical team and all teammates with whom I shared many nice things for the club and especially those people who do not see themselves on the covers, but without them nothing would be possible, who are there to prepare food for us and take care of us day by day, those who keep our shoes clean and the grass in the best conditions. Many thanks to you for helping us to improve every day. Thank you very much.”

Sanchez’s four-and-a-half-year contract ties him to United until the summer of 2022. It is understood his salary is closer to a basic £300,000 (Sh42.9 million) a week than the reported £500,000 (Sh71 million). This means he is, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the club’s highest remunerated player.

Sanchez will wear the club’s iconic No 7 shirt, which has been vacant since Memphis Depay was sold to Lyon last January.

Of the move, Sanchez said: “I am thrilled to be joining the biggest club in the world. I bring with me positive memories of that great club and its fans.”