CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Always a Gunner, Sánchez wants to punish Tottenham
Sánchez spent four seasons at Arsenal, losing one of his seven matches against Tottenham in all competitions and scoring twice against them
Former Arsenal star Alexis Sánchez has rekindled old rivalries by saying that he is ready to dump Tottenham Hotspur out of the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The former Arsenal striker can help Marseille secure their progress to the knockout stages with a win at the expense of Tottenham, who would be relegated to the Europa League if they lose. Tottenham are top of group D but need at least a draw to reach the last 16.
Sánchez spent four seasons at Arsenal, losing one of his seven matches against Tottenham in all competitions and scoring twice against them.
He joined Marseille on a free transfer in August and is among four players at the French club with an Arsenal link, alongside the former players Mattéo Guendouzi and Sead Kolasinac and the loanee Nuno Tavares.
“Beating Spurs was a great joy and special and these memories I hold dear to my heart and cherish,” Sánchez, 33, said. “I have great affection for Arsenal and great memories from my time there, especially the fans. Great memories.
Every single player has motivation to play and win. We all want to bring the victory back. In the dressing room, there is a lot of passion. Playing in front of the fans with their atmosphere is super important and that will drive us on.”
Sánchez was suspended for the 2-0 defeat by Tottenham in the opening group game, when Marseille were reduced to ten men before conceding.
Tuesday night’s game will therefore be his first reunion with Antonio Conte, whom Sánchez said made him feel “like a caged lion” when he left him out of the starting side at Inter Milan.
“He was a very demanding coach — if you don’t give 100 per cent on the pitch then you are dropped from the next game,” Sánchez said. “But it will be great to play against him tomorrow.”
Marseille are without a win in four matches and are fifth in Ligue 1, 11 points behind the league leaders, Paris Saint-Germain. Sánchez said that he hoped Marseille’s intense fans, whose behaviour has contributed to a partial stadium closure, will strike fear into Tottenham’s players.
“We can do it and I believe in my team-mates,” he said. “The atmosphere is amazing and motivates us to put on a good performance for us.”
Marseille v Tottenham Hotspur
Tuesday, kick-off 8pm
