Arsene Wenger has been perhaps the most despised coach in the EPL at the moment yet he is about to pull one of the league's best transfers this winter (Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan). With Alexis Sanchez's (30 years) contract about to expire in six months time, Arsenal have traded the Chilean directly to Manchester United in direct exchange for a year younger Armenian Henrikh Mkhitaryan with no fees involved . Sanchez was the fulcrum of Arsenal's attack since joining the Emirates side having scored an astonishing 80 goals in 168 games across all competitions in four and a half years yet, Arsenal have shown this season that there is life after Sanchez with the Chilean playing a less important role each passing game this season. At 30, Sanchez might be in decline soon although so many players have played successful beyond 30 (Christiano Ronaldo, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba to mention but a few) .
On the other hand, acquiring an out of favour Mkhitaryan is a masterclass act. Although the Armenian has been poor this season failing to even make the match day squad most of the times since November 25 , it easy to see why Wenger did not hesitate to send Sanchez the other side. Having started the season in scantilating fashion scoring two goals and assisting five times in his first three games, Mkhitaryan grew frustrated working under Jose Mourinho who did not grant him the offensive freedom to maximise his potential. Under the Portuguese, the Armenian became more mechanical, defending his fullbacks at the same time required to make tackles on several occasions just like the case of Kelvin De Bruyne now at Manchester City , who did not agree with the coach and was later proved right . With his work rate and commitment questionable at times, the Armenian is world class on his day as his record 25 league goals in the Ukrainian league while at Sharktar Donesk (2012-2013) still remains a record since the league's inception in 1992. As if that was not all, the Armenian assisted a record 15 league goals, scoring 19 goals and assisting 24 across all competitions in his final season with Borussia Dortmund claiming the Bundesliga's Players Player of the Season award in the process. Just like his early struggles in Manchester during his 18 months at the club, the Armenian suffered the same fate while in Dortmund before turning out the League's best player in his third season earning a £27m move to Manchester United in the summer of 2016.
Though his record in United is poor (four goals in 24 league games last season season, one goal in 15 league games this season) ; the pattern and style of play under Mourinho always meant that physical strength and ability was always favoured over flair and talent with a classic look at Anthony Martial a an example. The goals of Sanchez might be difficult to replace but imagine an attacking line-up of Emerick Aubameyang as the point man flanked by Mesut Ozil and Alexander Lacazette on the wings with Mkhitaryan playing slightly behind the main striker Aubameyang pulling the strings in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Deadly and Blazing if I heard You right. Let the games roll!!!!
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