A year ago at this time, Alexis Sanchez was completing his transfer from Arsenal to Manchester United, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan going the other way. As the Chilean was finalizing his move, he posted a video of his boarding a private jet to leave the club with Robert Tepper’s “No Easy Way Out” (from the “Rocky IV” soundtrack) playing in the background as a story on his Instagram account.
The song choice conveyed the tension that surrounded both the end of his time with the Gunners and his exit from the club. Tomorrow night sees Sanchez returning to the Emirates for the first time since the switch, and it’s very likely the boo birds will be out for him.
United come to north London for a 4th round FA Cup match, and Red Devils interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the Chilean will definitely feature, and if jeered, will get a high from being loathed.
“He’ll be involved,” Solskjaer told club publication MUTV.
“I think he’ll love it if the crowd turn against him. As a player, pride kicks in and you think ‘I’ll show all of you.’ He’s been fantastic in training, his attitude has been spot on so hopefully he’ll enjoy the game.”
It’s very possible that Alexis Sanchez will get a first team call for his one as Solskjaer may do some rotation in the final third of his starting XI.
United vs Arsenal FA Cup 4th Round tie FYIs
Kickoff: Friday, January 25, 755 pm local, Emirates Stadium
Injury report for both sides: go to this link
Starting XI Predictions: Arsenal Manchester United
Odds via Betfair: Manchester United win 17/10, Draw 5/2, Arsenal win 8/5
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.