Would Arsenal take back Alexis Sanchez from Manchester United?

A former Arsenal player has asked Unai Emery to allow Alexis Sanchez to return to the club after his failed stint at Manchester United. But do the Gunners even want him back?

When Alexis Sanchez joined Manchester United from Arsenal in exchange for Henrikh Mkhitaryan going the other way, everybody thought that the Red Devils had pulled off the heist of the century.

Fast forward a season and a half and it is clear that it was in fact the Gunners who got the better end of the bargain.

Indeed, Sanchez has been an immense flop since arriving at Old Trafford, scoring only five goals in all competitions since January of last year, including just a single goal in the 2018-19 Premier League season.

Making matters worse is the fact that the Chile international is earning £500,000 a week at United when taking into account bonuses, which would make him the highest-paid player in England.

Given that Sanchez is stealing a living at United and is contracted to stay at the club until 2022, is there any hope of another club doing United a favour this summer by taking the forward off of their hands?

According to former Arsenal defender Lauren, the Gunners should welcome Sanchez back with open arms. Yes, you read that right.

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Speaking with American Gambler, the 42-year-old said:

"“Sanchez is a top player and top players are always welcome at Arsenal.“If Emery could get him back mentally because it has been a while without him playing, then he could be a good addition.“It depends if he is the kind of player that Unai would enjoy having at Arsenal.”"

Hmmm. With all due respect, Lauren, the idea that Arsenal would welcome back a player who actively tried to force a move from the club mid-season in search of glory is ludicrous.

Sanchez would get booed by supporters at the Emirates if he ever returned – especially since he scored there for United earlier this year in a 3-1 FA Cup win and appeared to celebrate.

Furthermore, Arsenal don’t even need the 30-year-old. Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are doing fine as a strike partnership, and Mkhitaryan has been a decent squad player for them. Why on earth would they want a forward who only managed a single league goal last season?

If United do want to offload Sanchez this summer they’ll have to look outside of England, because his reputation in the Premier League has been tarnished beyond repair.