Ignasi Miquel

Arsenal defender Ignasi Miquel has welcomed the expected arrival of Alexis Sanchez, claiming the Barcelona forward "will fit perfectly" at the Emirates Stadium.

Although the deal is yet to be made official, recent reports in Spain claim that Sanchez is today in London having his medical ahead of his imminent move to the club.

Manager Arsene Wenger confirmed earlier this week the deal was "almost done" and after ironing out final terms of the agreement the clubs have reportedly agreed a fee of around £28m.

And Miquel, who made the same move to the club at the age of 15 when he decided to leave Barcelona's academy to join the north London side, has hailed the arrival of the Chilean international.

"Arsenal are a great team for Alexis. He will fit perfectly to the team and he will manage to adapt easily," he was quoted as saying by Mundo Deportivo.

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"It would be a joy to have Alexis at Arsenal because he's a great player."

Miquel has thus far struggled to break into Wenger's first team plans having spent last season on loan at Leicester City but is now training with the club as their pre-season preparations begin.

Recent reports in Spain claim La Liga side Espanyol are keen to bring him back to Spain but the centre-back insists he is looking forward to the season ahead at the Emirates and playing alongside Sanchez.

"Hopefully I can help Arsenal and Alexis to match but for that I have to stay here."

However, the 21-year-old faces stern competition if he wishes to break into the first team.

Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny forged an impressive partnership at the heart of the defence last season while Thomas Vermaelen will remain ahead of him in the pecking order, providing he remains at the club this summer.

Arsene Wenger