It's hard to believe that Arsenal were so inept as to leave the Sanchez transfer until the final moments of the window without first securing one or two for-sure replacements.
IMO Arsenal were engaged in a game of chicken - hoping to get the most from us by waiting - but realizing that a sale would be necessary, or else they'd effectively be paying 50M+ for an unmotivated player for one year.
Recap of the transfer:
1) Sanchez wants to leave Arsenal and has made it clear that his only acceptable destination is Manchester City;
2) Arsenal aren't at all happy with Sanchez; in fact, Arsental went after Sanchez in the press (so he's even less likely to be motivated to play his best);
3) The players at Arsenal want Sanchez out given the drag he's having on the dressing room;
4) Sanchez is in the last year of his contract and there's zero chance that he'll sign an extension. Meanwhile City are offering a ton of cash for Sanchez. Take the money now, or get far less (or nothing at all) in 6 months/a year.
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So, bottom line... Arsenal were more than willing to sell - can you fault our management for failing to secure a replacement for Sanchez (rhetorical question - we have no business trying to negotiate on behalf of Arsenal).
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For me, we did everything we could to sign Sanchez - and certainly Arsenal were willing to sell.
The complete collapse at Arsenal at the end of last season (no C/L football) and continuing on to this season makes Arsenal a toxic destination for top talent. Perhaps we should have realized this and somehow made it clear to Arsenal that they're under a huge handicap to sign attractive players - and hence, they need to offer prospects far more than normal to sign them - but really, would this have worked even if we tried (presuming of course that we did not).
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Sanchez in the Winter window then at a far reduced price?
Maybe so.
Wenger out by the Winter window? - there's a fair chance of this IMO. And perhaps this will improve our chances of signing Sanchez in the Winter window.