''Im so happy to be joining a club which has a great manager, a fantastic squad of players and huge support around the world. Im looking forward to playing in the Premier League and Champions League. - Alexis Sanchez, July 2014.
They were the words every Gunner dreamed of hearing but never truly believed they would. Having starred for Chile in the World Cup following a dazzling season at the Nou Camp - 19 league goals in 34 appearances - a host of elite clubs from across the continent were put on red alert as to his availability following Barcelonas shamelessly public pursuit of Luis Suarez. With Liverpool also in the hunt for his signature, along with Italian giants Juventus, Gunners supporters must have felt the dread of missing out on yet another high-profile transfer target, following botched attempts for Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suarez and Yohan Cabaye in the past. With just one FA Cup to show for their efforts over the last nine years, did Arsenal still possess that sway and prestige to lure the top-tier players to the club? After all, Steven Gerrards public announcement that Suarez was too good for Arsenal certainly wouldnt have helped matters, and would only have served to exacerbate the perception. It was a vote of confidence for the club when Sanchez was pictured in the Arsenal kit, with a £34 million fee having been agreed, and it was made even more sweet by the fact that Gerrards troops had been snubbed in the process.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
