Alex Sanchez cannot wait to team up with Mesut Ozil and help fire Arsenal towards Premier League glory.
The Chile international on Thursday agreed to sign for the Gunners from Barcelona, in a deal reported to be worth in the region of £30 million.
Sanchez, who is set for some time on holiday following his World Cup exploits, reaching the last 16 with Chile, believes Arsenal now have the needed quality to last the distance in the title race, having fallen away after being top at the turn of the year.
“With Ozil in the squad Arsenal was close to winning the league title (last season). I hope I can make a contribution so we can win as many titles as possible,” Sanchez said.
“The team not only plays really good football, but the squad is really good and we can win silverware.
“We have a great squad and we can achieve big things.
“Playing regularly wasn’t the only reason why I came here... I came here to win the Champions League and every title at stake.
“I am here to win titles and to achieve as much as possible.”
Wenger’s influence
Closing a deal for Sanchez was down in no small part to the influence of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
The Gunners boss is understood to have spoken to the player face to face while working for French television at the World Cup in Brazil, convincing him the Emirates Stadium was the right place to further his career.
The 25-year-old attacking midfielder, said to have also taken counsel from former Arsenal captain and Barcelona team-mate Cesc Fabregas, who has signed for Chelsea, is in no doubt he will be given the perfect environment in which to flourish.
“I know this club has a manager that looks after his players and takes care of them as well,” Sanchez continued.
“I was told that he is a manager you can learn a lot with. He wants to achieve great things in football and that helped me make the decision to sign for Arsenal.
“Arsene Wenger’s style of play is the sort of style the Chilean national team has, so therefore I am used to it. Arsenal plays very well, which fits my style. That is why I moved here.”
Wenger will return to Arsenal’s Hertfordshire base after tomorrow’s World Cup final, ahead of a trip to New York at the end of the month.
Arsenal host the Emirates Cup on August 2/3.