To be fair, nor did he ever claim to be. He is just the epitome of the modern Premiership player - here for the money and loyalty to a club is a far distant secondary consideration. And who would blame him for that? He has watched his own team manager given *%^@ by certain supporters. So much for loyalty. Sanchez did nothing wrong in declining a new contract. He gave a good account of himself while here and was an important reason for our FA Cup wins and European qualifications.

And as for Čech and Ospina...

I can just see Sanchez chatting to the dogs, 'I really want to stay at Arsenal guys, but these WOBs and the disrespect they show Senor Wenger, it's driving me away...'.

Sanchez is the last of the AKB, forcing a move to United as a protest.

I see Hoy's done his post again.

Let's just hope the northern refs don't target him for his previous association with the hottest team in London.

Such a shame that Wenger didn't do the same.

Henry Bolton and Arsene Wenger seem to be cut from the same stubborn cloth. Although Bolton will be gone long before Wenger.

Only way to deal with a noisy minority.

lol..omoh, the recent incarnation of the scum. They were weak then. Walker could be the one exception...maybe since they become good.

I don't necessarily have a problem with Welbeck, he's a trier and deserves a place in the squad but he's awful just awful in front of goal and I'm not sure if you can compete at the highest level with someone like him up top if you wish to win a title.

My response was more based on Bubblechris comment which he then deleted that Sanchez was a busted flush. To describe Xhaka and Welbeck as "bloody good players" whilst saying Sanchez has been of permanently offside, overplaying and useless is utterly ridiculous

Thought this was a pretty good read:

Why the departure of Alexis Sanchez might open a window for Arsenal to rediscover their identity

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 71326.html

Trigger warning for Daz, as it contains the sentence 'Arsene Wenger put it as eloquently as ever.'

and which players do you recognise as 'Arsenal " ............ Ramsay

Mkhitaryan has officially signed.

I love how the club is casually trying to make it sound as if they're giving up Sanchez to get Mkhitaryan.

News outlets now announcing the Sanchez - Mkhitaryan deal is done.

Really I deleted it? Try looking for it it's post 489402 fyi.

I prefer to wait and see how many of Tottenham's best players are still with them in a couple of years time before engaging in yet more Arsenal bashing. I know that, and wanting us to win matches makes me an awful supporter, but there you go. "Fly me to the moon...''

Oh sorry there it is indeed. Apologies you did in fact write a stupidly *%^@ post and left there undeleted

Great to see an Armenian at Arsenal. Have we ever had one before? If Obamayang from Gabon is on, then that could be another first. Exciting times.

Whatever

Certainly makes for exciting games to come. Looking very interesting and feel certain we can make 4th now.

Man U will start racking early on imo. Lukaku will get a rest and Sanchez will play up front initially.

What will you all moan about now.............

.
Arsène Wenger added:

“Henrikh is a very complete player. He creates chances, he defends well, he can absorb distances and he’s very committed as well. I must say he’s a player who has all the attributes.”



I'd put "absorbing distances" above scoring goals any day of the week

I think there is still plenty of mileage in you-know-who.

Can Mkhitaryan play tomorrow?

Anyone know................

He came on as sub v Bristol City so is cup tied

Bugga. Swansea (A) or Everton (H) for his debut then.

The Hoy Variations.

Hmm, nice try.

Nope, not him neither. (Grammar alert - is it neither? Or should it be either?)

Don't give in so easily, it only reinforces kiwis belief that he's a hard man.

Ramsey certainly feels like 'Arsenal' to me. As does Wilshere, Monreal and a couple of others.

Still smarting from the CNN jibes ...?

As a mere junior sheep shagger John 1 knows his place ...speaking of hard men , you're little fiesty yourself today ; on the brannvin .

Wenger on Mkhitaryan: "I’m very excited to get a player in who will be committed and focused."

It's Monday.

Seen people interpret this as a jibe against Sanchez, but I genuinely don't think so. There's an article on arsenal.com where Wenger praises the attitude of Sanchez and thanks him for his contribution to the club. He's just very bad at sensing how his comments will be received, but we knew that.

Yes, one of my favourites. He was a fabulous right back and we were linked with him in the 1963/64 season. What a capture he would have been. He chose to remain at Blackpool so we got Don Howe instead. That didn't work out too shabby.

Whereas Mourinho is always careful to find the bon mot? Can somebody tell me why some Arsenal fans are so obsessed with deconstructing every word that comes out of our bloke's gob? Actually, please don't tell me. ZZZZ

I didn't even mention Mourinho. Has Top Gun borrowed your computer?

I see Hoy's done his other post.

Saw this.
Mkhitaryan can play as a wide playmaker with Arsenal. In his final season with Dortmund, the Armenian played 43 matches on the wings, and just seven as an attacking midfielder. It’s the complete reverse right now, as he’s played 14 matches in midfield this season, and four as a winger.

So His best performances came as a winger, more than likely drifting centrally. Wenger’s ideal wide man.

Also worth noting he should be very fresh for the rest of the season and won’t be tired by a summer at the World Cup.

Let’s get Aubameyang done as well

He's on the sloe gin.

Savage indignation at the perfidious nature of supporters questioning the chap at the top. It will not do. It is not the Arsenal way.

No game at the weekend for us as it’s fa Cup 4th round, which means we MUST go full strength vs Chelsea in the cup semi.

sorry the word "supporters" should of course have the qualifier "some" or "certain" since the vast silent majority of real supporters are behind our man just as they should be.