Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez's reaction to failed Manchester City move revealed by Chile team-mate Mauricio Isla

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James Benge7 September 2017

Alexis Sanchez’s Chile team-mate Mauricio Isla is convinced that the Arsenal forward was hurt by the collapse of his move to Manchester City.

After a summer in which he had made clear his desperation not to be made to see out the final year of his contract Sanchez seemed to have got his wish in the final hours of deadline day when Arsenal intimated that they would accept Manchester City’s £60million offer.

However that deal was contingent on Arsenal acquiring a replacement and when a £92m move for Thomas Lemar collapsed Sanchez’s dreams of an exit collapsed.

His disappointment seemed apparent as Chile’s hopes of World Cup qualification took a hammer blow with defeats to Paraguay and Bolivia leaving La Roja facing an uphill challenge to reach Russia.

Sanchez’s performances in both games were widely criticised in Chile, such that he offered an angry response on Instagram, and Isla hinted that the failed transfer had kept the forward’s mind away from the pitch.

“He is in a top club like Arsenal but was happy to move to another team,” Isla told reporters.

“The transfer was very important for him but did not happen.

“The news changed completely, of him not signing and the contract not being given. Surely that hurts.

“Now that he returns [to London], I hope he regains the level he has, that person he is, that player he is because when he is well, the team is much better.”

Sanchez’s fitness will be assessed over the coming days ahead of Arsenal’s first Premier League match since the international break, at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.

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