Ex-Arsenal star and Man Utd flop Alexis Sanchez returns to old club after injury hell - The Mirror

Alexis Sanchez rejoined former club Udinese back in August but had to wait four months to make his second league debut for the Italian side, and it came during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Torino

Former Arsenal star and Manchester United flop Alexis Sanchez made his long-awaited homecoming for Udinese on Sunday.

Sanchez, who turned 36 earlier this month, has been through injury hell since re-signing for Udinese in August. The Chilean attacker joined on a free transfer, having left Inter Milan in June at the end of his contract.

A horrid blend of fitness issues and a calf injury kept Sanchez out of the Serie A side's first 16 games after signing, but he returned to the Stadio Friuli pitch for the first time since 2011 as a late substitute against Torino. The ex-Barcelona forward came on for the game's final 10 minutes plus added time as Udinese were held to a 2-2 draw, having squandered a two-goal lead.

After starting and being brought off at half-time away to Inter in the Coppa Italia on December 19, Sanchez was greeted by huge cheers back on home soil when he replaced former Newcastle winger Florian Thauvin. The 36-year-old posted on Instagram after the match, admitting that he was more nervous than before any other debut.

"Happy to return to my home," Sanchez, who wore the No.7 shirt, began. "First of all, thanks to the people of Udine, especially the children, for their welcome also to all the fans who support us for the love of this shirt.

"Today I was more nervous than when I played my first match at Barcelona, Arsenal or Manchester United etc. after these first months of training with the team, I see great margins for improvement and growth.. I think we have a good team… Thank you a thousand UDINESE…. 2025 the NINO."

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Sanchez will be hoping to feature when Udinese travel to Hellas Verona on Saturday, but boss Kosta Runjaic won't be rushing him into the starting line-up. "I'm happy to see Sanchez back on the pitch but we need to be patient," Runjaic told club media post-match. "We're taking it step by step."

Speaking in August, Sanchez revealed that even if Inter had offered him a new contract, he wouldn't have agreed to extend his second spell with the Italian champions. "I was happy," he said. "But even if they'd offered me an extension, I wouldn't have stayed another season."

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