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Arsenal Must Get Behind Alexis Sanchez and Let Him Run the Squad
By Josh Sippie
A couple weeks ago, I wrote an article about Alexis Sanchez’s mentality and how it can drive Arsenal. That’s been exactly what’s been going on as of late. Arsenal are currently a one-man wrecking crew, and that one man is Alexis. Alexis has 8 goals in his first 15 appearances, but what he brings to the team is so much more than just goal production.
Alexis’ work ethic is unreal. He is literally everywhere on the pitch. Arsenal’s win against Sunderland may be chalked up to crucial mistakes by a shaky opposition, but those mistakes wouldn’t have happened if Alexis wasn’t there to pressure the ball and put it into the net.
These are world class players and when they start converting the opportunities that Alexis creates, Arsenal are going to ignite and run through opponents.
The Gunner’s havent been a one man squad since Robin van Persie, but it’s a bit different this time. Alexis may be the sole driving force on the team but it’s a different kind of dependency than it was with the Flying Dutchman.
For starters, Alexis, as mentioned before, is everywhere on the pitch, his work rate is fantastic. Everyone from Mathieu Flamini to Danny Welbeck to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are singing his praises.
His creativity is the spark that drives every Arsenal attack and the longer he meshes with his Gunner team mates, the better they’re going to get and the more they’re going to benefit from his driving and passing. Sanchez provided glaring opportunities to both Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla as of late, both of which, for all intents and purposes, should have been goals.
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These are world class players and when they start converting the opportunities that Alexis creates, Arsenal are going to ignite and run through opponents. It’s been an ugly showing for the Gunners, but if they can get behind Alexis, let him create the chances, and cherry-pick off of the opportunities, they’ll regain that excellent form we’ve been expecting all year.
Not only that, but when Theo Walcott returns, Alexis will have an outlet to thread passes to that will be unstoppable. Walcott’s speed and finishing make him a perfect comrade for Alexis.
It may not be the best of times at Arsenal, but thanks to Alexis, we’re not far off.