Thierry Henry makes Alexis Sanchez claim that won't sit right with Arsenal fans

13 February 2023 , 18:22

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Alexis Sanchez lit up the Premier League while at Arsenal

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has dubbed ex-Gunner Alexis Sanchez a 'role model on and off the pitch' in comments that could irk the Emirates faithful.

Sanchez spent three-and-a-half years in the red half of North London and was undoubtedly Arsenal's best player during that period, with some regarding the Chilean as the greatest talent the club have boasted in the Emirates-era. However, he tarnished his Gunners legacy when he called time on his stay in the capital to join fierce rivals Manchester United in January 2018.

Though the move was one that went terribly for Sanchez, as he fell drastically short of the kind of heights he reached in an Arsenal shirt, he has since gone some way to turning his career around out in France.

An average spell at Inter Milan followed his two years at Old Trafford, before he swapped the San Siro for the south of France to join Ligue 1 outfit Marseille. It has been a successful spell so far, with Sanchez boasting nine goals in 20 league appearances.

Two his most recent strikes came in the form a match-winning brace against Clermont last Saturday, which leaves Marseille sitting in second, five points behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

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After his latest goal-scoring exploits, Henry heaped praise on the former Arsenal ace as he told Prime Video how Sanchez deserves respect for getting his career back on track after his controversial Emirates exit and subsequent United misery.

Alexis Sanchez has been in fine form for Marseille this season

HAVE YOUR SAY!Why did it not work out for Sanchez at Manchester United? Comment below

"At Arsenal, he made me dream," Henry admitted. "He left but I always liked his desire, the way he presses. We all know he’s quality but at Inter I said to myself ‘He’s started to decline.’ But honestly, now at Marseille…"

The Gunners legend went on to explain what sets Sanchez apart from many other players his age and how he has managed to halt a potential decline.

"I went to see him the day after a game“, the Frenchman recalled. "Man was on a treadmill to do sprints. He’s a role model, on and off the pitch too. When you see such a player, who’s won it all, behave like this, you feel compelled to follow his example."

The dust settle on Sanchez's Arsenal departure some time ago, but many feel the way he forced through his exit and actually made clear in the summer window before he got his move that he was actually keen on leaving then.

Arsene Wenger was Arsenal boss at the time but not even he could convince Sanchez to turn down the bright lights of Old Trafford when United came calling.

Josh O'Brien