Without any iota of doubt, Chilean international Alexis Sanchez, has been Arsenal’s best and most important player this season. The 28-year-old has appeared in all of the club’s 13 league games and has been largely responsible for another title charge Arsenal seem to be mounting.
Last season was no different, with Sanchez also helping to keep the Gunners title hopes alive earlier on in the season. Until he missed out of the club’s campaign for 2 months after sustaining a knock when he was shoved into a camera in the game against Norwich in November.
Upon his return in January ending, Arsenal weren’t really looking like a team capable of beating Leicester City to the race, even with 4 months still to go.
Draws against Liverpool and Stoke; and a loss against Southampton had weakened the side that badly missed their most influential player.
No matter how hard he tried till May, the best Arsenal could do was a 2nd place finish – 10 massive points behind Leicester City and only a point ahead of Tottenham.
History was almost going to repeat itself in November – Arsenal’s jinxed month, as Wenger chose to start Sanchez against United, despite the Chilean only just arriving from international duty with a hamstring strain days earlier.
However, he finished that game without any issue and was also important in their next game. Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth gave the north London club a hard time at the Emirates, as they instantly drew level after Sanchez had put the hosts ahead.
Even after Walcott restored Arsenal’s lead few minutes into the 2nd half, the 2014 – 15 Championship winners continually put more pressure on Arsenal, coming close on few occasions to getting another equaliser. Again, it was Sanchez who came to the rescue Wenger’s men, securing a comfortable win with his 2nd goal of the day.
This season, only Diego Costa (14) has had a hand in more goals than Sanchez. The former Udinese forward has scored 8 goals, and assisted 3 thus far. The number 9 position looks tailor-made for him, and to say he has been incredible thus far in the new role, and also capable of leading Arsenal to glory won’t be out of point.
.jpg)
Sanchez has averaged 2.9 shots per game with a conversion rate of 21.1%, made 2.3 key passes per match (30 created chances) with a 75% pass accuracy, completed 2.7 dribbles per game, and also contributed defensively with 1.1 tackles per game.
Alexis has continually grabbed games by the scruff of their necks for the Gunners this term, and while that overdependence on someone who has been responsible for 40% of their goals is a very risky thing to do, with last season being a recent reminder, that they can finally rely on him as the main cast this term, is to an extent relieving for the team.
If he manages to stay fit until May and get better or maintain this form, then just maybe Arsenal have a chance to snatch the prize away. In Alexis Sanchez, the Gunners have a player who can inspire the team to victories, even if it demands that they get them by all means necessary.
Note: The article was written prior to the GW 13