Mikel Arteta gave 'brutal' response to Alexis Sanchez during phone call over Arsenal return

Mikel Arteta has displayed his ruthless attitude to transfers by denying former teammate Alexis Sanchez the chance to return to Arsenal.

Arteta and sporting director Edu are working to complete deals in the important transfer window at Arsenal in years as the Gunners look to build on the success of last season.

While they were pipped to the Premier League title by eventual Treble winners Manchester City, Arsenal made huge progress last season under Arteta.

And the Spaniard will be determined to sign the reinforcements needed to ensure the club remains in the hunt for trophies next season.

Arsenal are in advanced negotiations to sign Declan Rice from West Ham and Kai Havertz from Chelsea.

But there is one transfer that definitely won't be happening this summer.

Reports in Chile claim former Arsenal forward Sanchez has attempted to secure a move back to the Emirates.

Sanchez scored 80 goals in 166 games for the north London club between 2014 and 2018 before moving to Manchester United as part of a swap deal, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan heading the other way.

The 34-year-old is now playing his club football for Marseille and has impressed in French football, scoring 18 goals in 44 games in his first season.

He is out of contract at the end of the month and could move on a free transfer this summer, although both the player and club have the option to extend his deal by a further year.

Arteta's 'brutal' phone call with Sanchez

Chilean media outlet La Tercera claim Sanchez recently phoned his former Arsenal teammate Arteta to make a pitch for him to return to the North London club.

Ahead of facing Tottenham with Marseille in the Champions League last season, Sanchez said: "I have great affection for Arsenal and great memories from my time there, and beating Spurs, every time it was very special.

"These are memories I hold close to my heart and cherish."

However, Arteta has reportedly told Sanchez that he will not be in his transfer plans for the coming season in a phone call described as 'brutal' by The Mirror.

It is the kind of ruthless mentality that Gunners fans will want to see from their club moving forward, with sentimentally taken out of the equation when considering signings and what is best for the club.