After spending some big money in the transfer window to add some quality players to their squad, Arsene Wenger has made a decent start to the campaign this season. They are currently in the 4th spot in the log table, just a couple of points away from the top of the table and are one of the genuine contenders for the Premier League title this season. The manager added the likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Granit Xhaka and Lucas Perez to his side in the summer. The German defender and the Swiss midfielder have been decent but Wenger has not been able to stick the Spanish striker into the starting XI this season yet. This has seen him use Alexis Sanchez, the Chilean, who is fresh from a Copa America title, play as a false 9 this season.
With 8 goals and 5 assists in all competitions this season, Sanchez has been an impact player for the squad and has adjusted to the striker’s role with ease. He has helped the side to some comfortable victories this season, as has been directly involved in nine goals in his last nine Premier League appearances (six goals, three assists). He has helped Arsenal add some cutting edge to their attack and has made them a more dangerous side in front of goal this season.
However, they were dealt a huge blow this week as the 27-year old picked up a muscle injury in training with the national side in this international break. A low-grade muscle tear is almost certain to see the Chilean out of the game against Manchester United next weekend and it looks like Arsene Wenger will need a plan B for this game to take all three points. The former Barcelona man has helped the Gunners not just by scoring goals but also by helping them keep up the pressure in the final third and Wenger will know that there are not many players who can take his spot in the side for the upcoming domestic games.
The manager spent on Lucas Perez in the summer but has stuck with Olivier Giroud as the first choice from the bench and it looks like the French striker might be the preferred option for the manager going into the game against Manchester United next weekend. The manager will know that he cannot change too much of the squad which has found the winning formula and it is hard to see the manager use another false-9 with the same effect as Sanchez.
Wenger will know that he will need a striker who can score goals and also help with the build up play for the side and the only name the springs to mind to take this spot is Olivier Giroud. Though Giroud does not put in the hard yards without the ball in the final third, Wenger hardly has a choice to replace the injured Chilean in the squad. The manager does not have another false 9 to turn to and will have to use an outright striker to lead the team. Lucas Perez is far from convincing enough to start in a game that huge and Danny Welbeck is not fit enough to make the starting XI for this game leaving the manager with just one option.
It is not a situation that Wenger will want to find himself too often but at the moment, with Sanchez picking up a cruel injury, the manager has no other chance but to give Olivier Giroud a chance to lead the side against Manchester United. Theo Walcott has been effective at times in that position but with the English winger has recently found some form recently, hence, it is hard to see the manager change his position for this crunch game. Giroud is more than capable of providing the goals after some impressive displays recently and will only miss out on the next game if he is poor at the Old Trafford.
Do you think Arsenal can cope up with the absence of Alexis Sanchez after the international break?