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On this day in 2014: Arsenal win the race for Alexis Sanchez

Arsenal completed the £35million deal to sign Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona on this day in 2014.

The Chile international signed a long-term deal to dash Liverpool’s hopes of bringing him to Anfield.

The Reds had hoped to include him as part of the deal which eventually took Luis Suarez to the Nou Camp.

Sanchez said: “I’m so happy to be joining a club which has a great manager, a fantastic squad of players and huge support around the world.

Arsenal v Barcelona – UEFA Champions League – Round of 16 – First Leg – Emirates Stadium
Alexis Sanchez scored 80 goals for Arsenal after joining from Barcelona. (Adam Davy/PA)

“I’m looking forward to playing in the Premier League and Champions League.”

Sanchez eventually scored 80 goals in 166 games for the Gunners, winning the FA Cup twice, before making the move to Manchester United in a swap for Henrikh Mkhitaryan in 2018.

It was an ill-fated spell at Old10 Trafford, where he was reportedly earning £14million a year after tax, and he scored just five times before joining current club Inter Milan, initially on loan, in 2019.