I have no regrets about my Arsenal exit - but I ended up like a caged animal

The ex-Arsenal striker spoke about feeling like a "caged lion" at Inter Milan ahead of the Gunners' Champions League meeting with his former club

Alexis Sanchez has no regrets about departing Arsenal for Manchester United, though he felt like a "caged animal" during his stint at Inter Milan.

Two of the Chilean's former sides will clash in the Champions League on Tuesday evening as Mikel Arteta's team travels to the San Siro hoping to strengthen their position at the top. Sanchez claimed silverware with both clubs, securing two FA Cups with the Gunners and winning every available domestic trophy with Inter.

The 37-year-old spent four seasons in north London, finding the net 80 times and providing 44 assists across 166 outings before departing for Old Trafford. At that point, Sanchez felt no shame in switching from one Premier League powerhouse to another as he believed greater success was available in Manchester.

The striker told BBC Sport: "I'm very happy I went to Manchester United. It's the club that's won the most in England.

"When I went to Arsenal, it was fantastic, I was happy there, but United were growing at the time, they were buying players to win something. I wanted to join them and win everything. I don't regret going there."

However, his spell at United failed to unfold as he'd anticipated. Sanchez added: "I think that I'm happy when I play for my national team. I was happy at Manchester United too, but I've always said to my friends I want to play.

"If they would let me play, I'll do my best. Sometimes I'd play 60 minutes, then I wouldn't play the next game - and I didn't know why."

Following a return of five goals across 45 appearances for United, Sanchez moved to Inter on loan before making the switch permanent in 2020. During his 142 matches for the Italians, the attacker scored 24 times, provided 28 assists and won two Serie A titles.

He also lifted the Supercoppa and Coppa Italia, though he felt like "a caged lion" due to limited opportunities at the club. After scoring the decisive goal for Inter in the 2022 Supercoppa final against Juventus, Sanchez made a plea for more game time in Italy.

He told Sport Mediaset: "I always said I felt like a caged lion, I wasn't playing! Conte arrived one day and said, 'Nobody else is like you.'

"He would put me on for the final 15 minutes and said I'd make the difference. I said, 'Put me on earlier, I can make the difference then too! This is the roar of the lion!

"Champions are like this, the more they play, the better they feel. The more that champions play, the better they are. If they let me play I am a monster.

"I played against Lazio, I thought I would play today as I was in good shape, but the coach made that decision. I was hungry and felt like winning something tonight! We are on the right track with the right players and we have to continue like this."

Sanchez's career trajectory continued to decline following his departure from England in 2020, despite winning trophies in Italy. The forward left Inter in 2022, featuring for Marseille before returning to Milan for another campaign, then spending a season at Udinese and ultimately joining Sevilla in Spain.

This season, the 37-year-old has featured 16 times, scoring just twice and providing a single assist. Sanchez acknowledged he had no intention of remaining in Italy permanently, regardless of the club's wishes.

"I was happy. But even if they'd offered me an extension, I wouldn't have stayed another season," he said. "Everyone was spectacular with me. I want to thank the city of Milan.

"I went to Inter, who hadn't won any trophies for a while before I joined, and then we won the Scudetto. I always like a fight in life, and why not dream?"