Arsene Wenger pleased to move on from Alexis Sanchez saga

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.