Arsenal news: Alexis Sanchez believes he has reached the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

The Chilean played alongside Messi at the Nou Camp before leaving Catalonia for north London

Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring Arsenal's second goal (Getty)

Alexis Sanchez, the Arsenal forward, believes he has reached the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Chilean played alongside Messi at Barcelona before leaving Catalonia for north London in 2014, going on to score 30 goals in 68 league appearances, and now he believes he has made up ground on the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Despite Messi and Real Madrid's Ronaldo enjoying total domination for the past decade, Sanchez insists that he is ready to join the illustrious group of players considered to be among the best in the world this season at the Emirates.

He told Sport: “I have reached a level where I can compete with great players. I do not feel inferior to anybody. I liken [my qualities] to Messi and Ronaldo. I have the same abilities as them.”

Sanchez, who won the La Liga title and one Copa del Rey with Barca, has added an FA Cup success to his CV in England but was unable to help Arsenal win the Premier League title last season as Arsene Wenger’s men finished second to Leicester City.

Meanwhile, it has been reported in Spain that Wenger refused to sit next to old foe and current Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho at a Uefa coaching conference this summer.

The pair have been bitter enemies for the best part of the last 10 years with Mourinho often baiting the Frenchman with derogatory statements in the media. Marca suggest Wenger was unprepared to be pictured alongside the controversial Portuguese.

The United boss is said to have asked his Arsenal counterpart if he could take the vacant seat alongside him for the photo call. Wenger is reported to have then deadpanned: “No, it isn't possible,” provoking laughter in the room.