Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez has thanked Barcelona ahead of their Champions League round of sixteen clash, according to his post on Instagram.

The Gunners superstar may be a club icon now, but not too long ago the Chile international was plying his trade with the European champions.

And this Tuesday’s clash between the two sides at the Emirates will be the first time that Sanchez has faced his former club, where he spent three seasons winning one La Liga and a Copa del Rey trophy.

Instead of thrash talking Barca ahead of their game, Sanchez has instead posted on Instagram thanking those that took care of him during his stint at the Nou Camp, including the players, club doctors, and coaches.

The 27-year-old has only fully recovered from a hamstring injury the past few weeks, and Arsenal know they need him at 100% to have any chance of beating Barcelona in two legs.

I wonder if Emmanuel Adebayor would ever be this sincere towards a former club...

Quiero agradecer al FCB, a los doctores, a los fisios, que cuidaron de mi durante mi estadía en Barcelona, y especialmente a los jugadores con los que compartí lindos momentos. I want to thank FCB, the doctors and the physiotherapists who cared for me during my stay in Barcelona and especially the players with whom I shared beautiful moments. Pero la vida continua y mi presente es el Arsenal..mi casa, mi familia y estoy muy feliz de ser un Gunners. But life carries on and my present is with Arsenal, my home, my family and I'm so happy to be a Gunner. A photo posted by Alexis Sanchez (@alexis_officia1) on Feb 23, 2016 at 1:06am PST