The forward refused to sign a new contract with the Gunners and was eventually allowed to join Manchester United in a swap deal including Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The Chilean’s departure left a sour taste in the mouth of Arsenal supporters and apparently their players were not too keen on the whole fiasco, either.
Gerrard has claimed that Sanchez was “toxic” around the club and it was a good job they granted his leaving wish.
The BT Sport pundit thinks Arsenal will be able to kick on now that they have freshened up their squad with the capture of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
“With Sanchez going, it seemed to me that it was going toxic in the dressing room,” Gerrard told BT Sport.
“I think all of the players might have gone into their shell with all of the problems he was causing.
“It is a clean slate and everybody else might get a bit of confidence from that.
“Arsenal might grow.”
Arsenal adjusted to life after Sanchez seamlessly as they comfortably beat Everton 5-1 yesterday.
Aaron Ramsey netted his first career hat-trick while Laurent Koscielny and Aubameyang were also amongst the goals.