Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that he is relieved his side can now focus on events on the field following the conclusion of the drawn-out Alexis Sanchez transfer saga.
The Chile international finally left the Emirates Stadium earlier this week following months of speculation, joining Manchester United as part of a swap deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
After seeing his side beat Chelsea 2-1 in their first match since Sanchez quit, Wenger admitted the importance of others stepping up and filling the void left by the versatile attacker.
"We lost a great player," he told Sky Sports News. "But when a team doesn't know what's going on there is less clarity and less focus on what's important - the performance. Now we know we have to deal with that and get on by everybody giving a little bit more."
Arsenal, who won the EFL Cup semi-final tie 2-1 on aggregate following a goalless draw in the first leg, will now face Manchester City at Wembley Stadium next month.
Daniel Lewis
