Alexis Sanchez: Leaving Barcelona for Arsenal was right move

Alexis departed Camp Nou for Arsene Wenger’s in a £35m transfer in July 2014, and comes across Barca for the first time in their meeting in the Champions League last 16 first leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

The Chile forward Alexis helped Arsenal win the FA Cup and scored one of 35 goals for the club in their 4-0 win over Aston Villa in the final. He has helped himself to 13 in 30 matches so far this season.

“I never regret my decisions,” he said. “It wasn’t easy to leave Barcelona. I fulfilled a dream when I moved there - to play in Spain and for the champions – but very few players stay in the same club all their life. To leave is normal.

“I wanted a new project, a new experience. And with so many attacking players at Barca it was a good choice to go.

“The directors told me clubs were interested. So I think it was a good choice to go to Arsenal, the best choice. It has been a positive move and I love it at Arsenal.”

Sanchez feels beating Barcelona does not coming down to halting his old Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi.

"We know it won’t be easy,” he admitted. “He’s the best footballer in the world, without a doubt. It’s very difficult to stop him but we will work on it.

“And remember, Barcelona is not only Leo!”

Alexis has been a resounding success not only in representing Arsenal, but also in proving he has what it takes to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League. He is a player made for British football. It is often argued that a number of the world’s leading players avoid England because of the amount of games they face when they can enjoy less hectic schedules and demands on the body in Spain or Germany, where a winter break is in operation over the festive period. Alexis is the exception to the rule. He has been a potent figure for Arsenal - providing goals, assists and an energy that supporters are immediately drawn to. It is fair to say, Barca will be wary of the threat which Alexis carries.