Gunners boss admits relief at landing Chilean star.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that he convinced Alex Sanchez to join his side from Barcelona over the summer because their style of play suited him better than Liverpool’s did, the Daily Express reports.
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Chilean striker Sanchez will be a focal point at Anfield after Liverpool missed out on landing him as their replacement for Luis Suarez, who left after the World Cup for the Nou Camp.
Sanchez joined in a £33m deal from the Spanish giants, and has so far netted 13 goals in all competition for his new club, prompting Wenger to hail his arrival.
“We were interested in Suarez last year. He scored over 40 goals. That’s part of the competition (for players),” he said.
“Every great player has a choice to go where he wants and Alexis chose us. I’m not sure if Liverpool were in, but we’re glad he has chosen us.
“I met his agent in Brazil during the World Cup a few times and talked about the transfer. Back in Europe, we did it with Barcelona. Once we got the decision he would like to join us, we were happy.
“He had maybe not had the number of games he wanted at Barca and I tried to convince him that I could help him develop the quality of his game and that the way we play would suit him. That’s why he chose us in the end.
“All players want to play in the Champions League and we have good continuity on that front.”
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