As July came to a close, Alexis Sanchez gave the British media two gifts.
Due back in London to start pre-season training, the Chilean striker posted a photograph on Instagram from Santiago. Looking down in the dumps alongside one of his dogs, the caption simply read: "sick." Having been granted time at home to shake off his illness, Sanchez eventually returned, where he was pictured working out at Arsenal's London Colney training ground—alone.
Sanchez's protracted—and lonely—return to England fed perfectly into a media narrative that has steadily developed around him since the turn of the year.