It will be strange to face Alexis ―Wenger

Arsene Wenger admits it will be “strange” to come up against Alexis Sanchez in Sunday’s game at Manchester United.

The Chile international spent three-and-a-half years with us before moving to Old Trafford at the end of the January transfer window – and the Arsenal manager says we had “no other choice” but to sell.

“At the time he did not accept our contract offer and the best possible way where we could get something from his departure was to make an exchange for the player of the quality of Mkhitaryan,” Wenger said.

“For him, it was a move to another big club. Overall, both parties had interest to do what happened.

“Of course [it will be little bit strange to face Alexis]. The only thing that he has not changed is the colour, that’s still red.

“It’s strange for me to see him in a different shirt because he had a strong bond with the club and of course he was here for a few years. He did extremely well for us.”

It may have been pretty explosive at its peak, but Arsene Wenger insists his relationship with his former rival has changed for the better.

“Now, it’s peaceful,” he said. “Both of us have calmed down and with time respect always takes over. You know that both of you fight and I think with both of us, we identified highly with our clubs because we stayed for a long time.

“For both of us, it was more than just a manager who does his job in a professional football cub. We were highly identified by being linked in a strong way with our club and having a love story.

“He has a love story with Man United and I have one with Arsenal. That’s why maybe as well it was more than just winning a game at stake.

“We are closer already. We have a good relationship and we keep our individual memories.”