Arsenal fans got a very grim glimpse into their post Alexis Sanchez world vs Bournemouth.

The Chilean forward did not travel with the Gunners squad to the Vitality Stadium, where Arsene Wenger's boys were handed yet another harsh lesson, surrendering a 1-0 lead and losing 2-1 on the south coast.

Hector Bellerin opened the scoring, before Callum Wilson and Jordon Ibe completed the comeback, with the two goals coming in the space of four minutes.

What makes the defeat even worse is the bleak reality of losing their talisman to one of their bitter rivals, with Manchester United now the favourites to complete what would arguably be the coup of the last few years.

Manchester City were thought to be the favourites, however, the Red Devils have swooped in and are prepared to meet Arsenal's £30m valuation, as well as paying Sanchez an enormous financial package.

Many have suggested that the move won't come to fruition as a reunion with Pep Guardiola is what the Chilean really wants.

Well, they could be wrong. An article from 2010 on Goal's website reveals that Sanchez may have unknown feelings for the Red Devils, ones which mean a move to Old Trafford could be right up his street.

SANCHEZ MIGHT HAVE UNITED IN HIS HEART

"All Alexis wants is to play for Manchester United," revealed a Chile team-mate, who did not want to be named. "He'd give anything for that."

Ouch. Sir Alex Ferguson was impressed by Sanchez back in 2010 and was actually seeking to sign him from Udinese to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, but in the end, the South American star opted for a big money move to Barcelona.

The next few days will likely reveal a lot more information on the Sanchez saga, with Wenger stating after the Bournemouth defeat that he wants the situation sorted as soon as possible.

A number of names have been touted as his replacement, with Bordeaux's brilliant Brazilian Malcom the one that just keeps on cropping up.