BBC Sport reporter Ornstein: Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez thought he was a Man City player

That is according to BBC Sport reporter David Ornstein, who says he has spoken to people close to Sanchez.

Arsenal accepted a bid of £55million, rising to £60m, from Manchester City on transfer deadline day but could not source a replacement before the window shut at 11pm last night.

The Gunners offered Monaco £92m for winger Thomas Lemar, a bid which they accepted, but the player did not want to move to the Emirates.

That meant Sanchez had to stay at Arsenal rather than have a reunion with Pep Guardiola at City, who managed him for a season at Barcelona.

“I’ve spoken to a number of people close to Alexis Sanchez,” Ornstein said.

“He felt that the deal was done, that he would become a Manchester City player. 

"He’s likely to be shocked by this, he’s away on international duty with Chile. 

“He will have to get his head around it pretty quickly because Arsenal will be relying on him this season.”

Ornstein claimed yesterday that Lemar told Arsenal he would join them earlier in the summer but was not prepared to make such a big decision with just hours of the window left.

“Perhaps it’s quite confusing to a player who was being chased by Arsenal in the summer and it’s our understanding that he did say he would join Arsenal,” Ornstein said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“He was prepared to make the move. 

“But when that interest ended, it was almost like it was put to bed.”

Arsenal are currently 16th in the Premier League, having lost two of their three opening games of the season.