Alexis Sanchez reveals what Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said to him in a bid to prevent him joining Man United

Alexis Sanchez has opened up about his controversial exit from Arsenal, revealing Arsene Wenger tried to stop him signing for Manchester United by telling him: “You’re the best we’ve got.”

The Chilean forward left the Emirates for United in January but has struggled to find his best form at Old Trafford.

And he has revealed the extent Wenger went to prevent him joining Jose Mourinho’s side.

“He was very fond of me and he didn’t want to let me go,” Sanchez told Chilean television.

“He told me, ‘I want you to sign here because you are the best player in the team.’

“I wanted to continue growing as a player, more so as a Chilean, because it’s difficult to get to Manchester United .

“No Chilean had played here. Arsene understood it at last, we ended up on good terms, he congratulated me and there was no problem.”

Sanchez also admitted that he is still suffering from Chile’s failure to make the World Cup.

The South American nation were dumped out of qualifying after a 3-0 defeat by Brazil last October.

Sanchez, who lives with beloved pet dogs Atom and Humber, admitted in the interview which took place in Manchester: “I still haven’t got over it.

“When this World Cup finishes, I think I’ll be a bit calmer.

“After the match against Brazil I went to London. I wanted to be alone with my dogs, no-one else.”