Walcott and Sanchez shine for Arsenal despite shock defeat

Arsenal’s Champions League woes continue, as the gunners were defeated at home by Greek champions Olympiakos. The result leaves Arsenal 4th in group F, and fighting an uphill battle in their quest to qualify for a 16th consecutive knockout round appearance.

There was a silver lining however though, as Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez continued their scintillating displays up front. Each grabbed a goal and an assist, helping each other find the back of the net, and the growing partnership between the two bodes well for the club going forward.

Walcott made it 13 goals in his last 14 starts, while Sanchez added to his hat trick at the weekend to make it 4 goals in his last 2 starts. The movement and interchanging between the two caused Olympiakos all sorts of problems even if it wasn’t enough to sway the result in the end.

For Walcott in particular it is encouraging, as he faced increased pressure to produce following the summer window. With Olivier Giroud Arsenal’s only recognized forward according to many accounts, the onus was on Theo to show he could perform in the role.

It is a role he has been asking for and one he has embraced having finally got his wish. As for Sanchez, it is more of the same from the Chilean following his superb debut season at Arsenal last year. He was slow off the mark this season, but it was only a matter of time before his form returned.

The pair together haven’t spent much time on the pitch together with Walcott only recently returning from a long term injury, and it is brilliant to see the two clicking into gear.

They share pace and dynamism and intelligent movement as some of their top traits, and seem to enjoy moving off of on another.

Both goals came from the duo, with Sanchez weaving in and out with the ball before slipping Walcott through on goal for the first. The second was more of a sweeping move from Arsenal on a whole, but when the ball found its way to Walcott on the right, he clipped a delicious cross into the path of Alexis for the Chilean to head home.

It seems they have learned each other’s runs to perfection, and they could be crucial to Arsenal’s fortunes going forward.