It is a shame that he felt he could not openly express his gratitude on social media, however.
Alexis Sanchez will forever remain grateful for the faith Arsene Wenger showed in him.
While he was part of an extremely good Barcelona team, Wenger made a move for Sanchez in 2014 and sought to build his Arsenal attack around the Chilean. The pair worked together for three-and-a-half seasons before Sanchez left the Gunners, in January, for Manchester United.
Sanchez found the net in United’s 2-1 win over a team he often produced the goods against in an Arsenal jersey – Tottenham. His headed equaliser gave United hope and Ander Herrera’s crisply struck winner put them into the FA Cup final, back at Wembley, next month.
Alexis Sanchez's goal!
Paul Pogba with strength and vision! https://t.co/cypggQDvCM
— Man Utd Channel (@ManUtdChannel) April 21, 2018
Following the game, in which he was named man of the match, Sanchez revealed he had been in touch with Wenger. The French manager is leaving Arsenal after 22 years at the end of the season and Sanchez felt it was only right to pay his respects to a man he calls ‘a football master’.
“I texted him [on Friday] to wish him the best. I could not say anything on social media but I texted him and he replied to me saying thank you to me.
“It’s sad because he is a historical football legend, I always said he is a gentleman and a football master, he taught me a lot about respect and to be professional. I’m just so thankful to him.”
Sanchez helped Arsenal to FA Cup success during his time at the club. Although he moved to United with the ambition of claiming Premier and Champions League trophies, Jose Mourinho will be hoping the forward can help his new teammates finish their season with some silverware to hoist high.
Sanchez isn’t the first former Arsenal star to have paid tribute to Wenger. Robin van Persie, who also left North London for United, also posted his own message to social media channels on Friday. The message wasn’t too well received by plenty of Gooners, however…
