Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez becoming a functioning train wreck

Arsenal’s struggles with the form of Alexis Sanchez are well-documented, but is it possible that this destructive productiveness is just the way things are now?

Arsenal’s attacking prowess stems from a front three that is just ripe with creativity. It’s amazing to think what might have been if we had landed Alexandre Lacazette when we were first linked with him three summers ago, because it would have been in Alexis Sanchez‘s prime time with the Gunners.

As opposed to the form he is in recently. Which is, in a word, reckless. The Chilean still has one of the better goal contribution rates on the team, but in the process, he has been losing control, essentially, as he drills himself into holes and gives away possession with no regard.

In the past two games alone (make sure you’ve got that – just two games), Alexis has surrendered possession 66 times. 34 times against Manchester United and 32 against Southampton.

At least he’s consistent, you could say. Albeit the kind of consistency that is befuddling, bewildering and downright detrimental to the success of the attack, let alone to the club in general.

There is widespread belief that he just doesn’t care as much anymore. He did, after all, try to secure an exit in the summer. His body language is of someone held on the pitch against his will, trying his best to find what joy he can out of love of the game alone.

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With an exit not likely until the summer, though possibly in January, the question we should all be asking is simple – is 86 minutes of pure irresponsibility over the ball offset by four, five minutes of pure inspiration?

I had thought, for awhile now, that the answer is an easy no, but it really shouldn’t be that easy. Not now that we know what Alexis is capable of. The problem is that we now know what he is capable of on both sides.

He’s become a derailing train of sorts. Sure, it’s still making its way towards the destination, perhaps even faster than a regular train, but the destruction that comes along, and the potential for more, is dangerous to everyone involved. Such self-destruction tied into that dose of usefulness.

So would we rather have a functional train wreck or a handcar with far less potential for disaster? Again, not an easy answer.

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The easiest, catch-all answer would probably be to stop the train altogether, as in bench Alexis, try to make some repairs, and then throw him back on the tracks to see if he can hit top speed again, without the accompanying risk.

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