Alexis Sanchez says his mum is his biggest inspiration.

The Chile forward has played in two World Cups, lifted two major trophies and most recently secured Arsenal’s place in the FA Cup final.

However, Alexis believes he would not have achieved any of this without his mother.

"I like the city a lot and I feel really comfortable in the club. Supporters here are very cheerful and enlivening, which is a very nice thing" Alexis Sanchez

“My mum is my biggest idol,” he told Arsenal Player. “There was a time when I had no football boots as my mum did not have money to buy a pair for me. I begged for new boots at home, but unfortunately my mum couldn’t pay for them.

“At that time I was the most important player for Arauco, the municipality’s football team. My mum went to Arauco’s city hall to ask for some sort of grant to the town´s mayor so I could have a new pair of boots.

“I wasn’t aware of her efforts until one night at 10pm a delivery van stopped at my doorstep with some brand new boots for me. I put them on straight away and I started playing on the street. I was so happy about that.”

Alexis has since become a household name, claiming 22 goals and 11 assists in his debut season for Arsenal, and the 26-year-old is delighted with how quickly he has settled in north London.

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“It hasn’t been really easy but so far my spell here is a really positive one,” he explained. “I like the city a lot and I feel really comfortable in the club. Supporters here are very cheerful and enlivening, which is a very nice thing.

“My team-mates are really kind too. My goal now is to take Arsenal as high as possible. I am well adapted to the country and the league. I must keep on learning, though. I want to expand my knowledge of English football in general and Arsenal and my team-mates in particular, but overall I love this league.

“At the end of the day, football was invented in this country, right? I live where football was invented. That makes me really happy.”