Anthony Martial would have liked to have examined the possibility of being the man Manchester United gave to Arsenal in exchange for Alexis Sanchez during the January transfer window, according to a report in the Times. 

In the end it was Henrikh Mkhitaryan who went to the Emirates but it would have been a damning indictment on Martial's ambitions if he had settled for a move to North London when he has such potential.

What's the story, then?

The report states that Martial - valued at £58.5m by Transfermarkt - was disappointed not to have had the opportunity to discuss the prospect of going the other way as Sanchez arrived at Old Trafford.

Bayern Munich and Juventus are now reportedly in the hunt for the Frenchman and those clubs would be much more befitting of his exciting talents.

Martial is apparently stalling on a new deal until he has received assurances over his gametime but Jose Mourinho is keen to make the forward prove he deserves more starts.

Martial can do better than Arsenal

Arsenal are in largely the same position as United were at this time last season - in sixth place with just the Europa League to play for - but the Gunners have slumped this time around while United are on course to finish in their highest league position since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

The players at Arsenal get an easy ride due to the fact that Arsene Wenger takes the brunt of the criticism and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's explosion at Liverpool after years of Emirates stagnation is just one example that proves young players no longer progress under the French boss.

Martial must know he has the talent to attract interest from Bayern and Juve - and other similar level teams - so there is no need for him to drop out of the Champions League (potentially) and join the Gunners. Under Wenger, they are only going in the wrong direction.

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