Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez proves he’s worth whatever necessary

In two successive games, Alexis Sanchez has engineered a goal thanks to a piece of brilliance, proving that he’s worth whatever Arsenal must pay.

Great players make great moments at crucial times. Throughout Arsenal history, they have had players who are turned to when a goal is most desperately needed. A Dennis Bergkamp touch, spin and finish; an Ian Wright dart and shot; a sublime, incisive pass Robert Pires.

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These players are extremely rare and extremely valuable, and when they are found, it is wise to try and keep hold of them. That is the scenario that the Gunners find themselves as they enter a crucial summer in which decisions will be made that have long-lasting ramifications.

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Alexis Sanchez, the star of the season, has just one year remaining on his current contract. After a year of unsuccessful talks, during which there have rumours abounding suggesting his impending exit or his eventual decision to stay. Ultimately, uncertainty reigns: no one knows if he will stay or go. But that does not stop people giving their opinion. So, here’s mine.

I believe that Sanchez has proven that he is worth whatever is necessary to sign him. As mentioned previously, great players make great moments at crucial times, and in the past week, Sanchez has done exactly that three times. The first came in the win over Southampton, with a spin and a feigned shot to cut inside two defenders and open the scoring with a left-foot, slid shot past Fraser Forster.

And the other came in the win over Stoke City on Saturday. An incisive pass into the feet of Mesut Ozil, who had darted in behind the Potters’ defence, sliding the ball past a number of defenders, perfectly placed at the feet of the German at the ideal pace. Just moments came his second moment of brilliance: a low shot into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area, taking a flick of Ryan Shawcross in the process.

Goals are hard to find in the Premier League and players that create and score them are even harder. Every player is capable of moments of genius every now and then. A long, firing shot. A neat, reverse pass. A sumptuous piece of skill. But executing those pieces of play on a consistent basis is what separates the good players from the great players.

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That is what Sanchez brings, and such is the rarity of a player of that calibre and quality, that paying him whatever is necessary becomes a wise investment.