Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez’s Days At Striker Just Beginning

Josh Sippie of Pain in the Arsenal stated that Alexis Sanchez’s days as a striker are coming to an end. I would argue they are only just beginning.

The striking revolution that was taking place at Arsenal early in the year stalled significantly over the festive period. The experiment of Alexis Sanchez as a centre-forward was abruptly ended, and usual starter over the past few seasons, Olivier Giroud, was reinstated as the lone striker.

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The towering Frenchman has been in excellent form this season, scoring dramatic late goals on numerous occasions, and, since being restored in the Boxing Day win over West Brom, had scored in ever single start bar one.

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However, despite the divisive figure having scored four goals in his last five starts, including an incredible back-heeled scorpion kick against Crystal Palace, Arsene Wenger’s side have looked far more potent with a more mobile striker, rather than the slower but stronger, more powerful Giroud.

That much was proven against Southampton on Saturday in which Lucas Perez started in the role. Danny Welbeck returned from a nine-month injury layoff, scoring twice, and Theo Walcott replicated his scintillating early-season form, finding the goal scoring knack that was so ruthless when linking up with Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

With so many players reaching their peak form, Josh Sippie, here at Pain in the Arsenal, stated that Sanchez’s days as a central striker are coming to an end. While he makes some insightful points, highlighting the many options that Wenger has available to him currently, he forgets a crucial aspect to the debate; Alexis Sanchez himself.

Arsenal have, throughout this season, been at their most dangerous when Sanchez is on the ball as often as possible. The Chilean is an electric presence in the team, he is an instigator, a spark to the attack and getting him at his best is absolutely vital for the Gunners.

He has now scored 15 goals in 22 league games while also assisting a further seven. They are leading numbers for the squad in both figures and he is the only player to match Diego Costa in the Premier League for rippling the net.

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Sanchez is without doubt at his best when he spearheads the side, rather than being shifted out wide. Although the recent form of Welbeck, Perez and Giroud should be celebrated and praised, it is not sufficient reason to drop Sanchez from his best role.