Is Tottenham’s Bale nightmare heading for Arsenal?

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A double deal involving Manchester United and Arsenal could leave the Gunners in a similar predicament to Tottenham in 2013.

Tottenham Hotspur experienced a nightmare in 2013 when they allowed star player Gareth Bale to leave, and saw rivals Arsenal strengthen by signing Mesut Ozil as a result.

The two deals had Arsenal fans grinning from ear to ear, with their side strengthened and their rivals weakened dramatically over a matter of 48 hours – but is trouble heading in their direction?

Two reported summer deals in the pipeline have Arsenal lined up as candidates to be weakened, with Manchester United the big winners.

Former Tottenham defender blasts Sol Campbell

The Mirror report that Atletico Madrid are plotting a move to sign Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal with the money they will gain from selling Antoine Griezmann to United.

France’s Antoine Griezmann celebrates

The Red Devils are keen on Griezmann, and are odds on favourites to land the French international, despite Arsene Wenger’s long standing admiration of him.

Arsenal have finished above Manchester United in all three seasons since Sir Alex Ferguson left Old Trafford and sit narrowly above them this season – but if the Griezmann and Sanchez deals happened, it is hard to see how this trend would remain intact.

Sanchez has only 18 months remaining on his Arsenal contract, and his performances have deserved better than the miserable title challenges the Gunners have mustered since he signed in 2014.

Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez

Arsenal only have to look at Tottenham to see how destabilising losing a star player can be, with manager Andre Villas-Boas sacked just over a year later.

Spurs bought seven players with the Bale money, of who four years later only two remain at the club.

Only a fresh approach from Mauricio Pochettino and impressive youth additions have put Tottenham back on track, but they can only wonder where they may be now had they kept hold of Bale.

It is imperative for Arsenal that they find a way to keep hold of Sanchez not just for next season, but to sign him to a new deal.

If United sign Griezmann then they will need their star man even more, otherwise a gap could emerge between the teams at the top of the Premier League, and Arsenal could be on the outside looking in.