Signed from Barcelona for £32m in mid-July, Alexis Sanchez has risen above any Gooner’s expectations during the first-half of the campaign, netting 16 clinical goals and assisting on eight others. He possesses the most important characteristic in a field player that can’t be taught – an extremely high work rate. To be a successful player in the Premier League, work rate will keep you from riding the pine, and Sanchez has definitely proved his work rate and fitness as top drawer, distinguishing him as arguably the best winger in England.
Scoring in the Premier League doesn’t come easy, just ask Mario Balotelli. In his third career Premier League game, Alexis Sanchez scored the opening goal in a clash on the road against Leicester City in a 1-1 draw on the 31st of August, a start to a very shaky beginning to the campaign by the Gunners.
Although Alexis Sanchez has stood out in games against the ‘smaller’ clubs, he has yet to carry the Gunners to a win against another top tier club in England. In both clashes with Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, Alexis Sanchez failed to stand out on both sides of the ball. The one elite English club he has played clinical against is Manchester City, helping the Gunners take home the Community Shield in an impressive 3-0 win at Wembley.
With the towering amount of minutes Sanchez has played this year, there is a growing sense of worry over his health. Arsenal has yet again been swept over with an injury plague, hindering any progression into the top four in the table. With Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Mathieu Flamini, Kieran Gibbs, and Theo Walcott returning, skipper Arsene Wenger will have more than enough weapons at his disposal. If the Gunners can stay healthy, Arsene Wenger might just be able to stay one more year. Wenger needs to make the right signings to add depth and bolster a struggling back line.
Although Alexis Sanchez might not win the Golden Boot, awarded to the top goal scorer of the season, in the Premier League, he contributes in all competitions more than all other elite summer signings such as Angel Di Maria and Diego Costa. With Diego Costa and Sergio Aguero battling for the Golden Boot this season, Cesc Fabregas has already wrapped up honors of providing the most assists in a season, on pace to break Thierry Henry’s record of 20 assist in a Premier League season.
Gooners around the world will be glued to the telly for the second half of the campaign with all eyes on Alexis Sanchez – let’s hope he continues his excellent form for Arsenal.
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