Arsenal vs Chelsea: Make Alexis Sanchez really want it

Arsenal probably won’t be deploying Alexis Sanchez in the starting XI, which gives them a unique opportunity to make him really want it.

Arsenal’s first chance at a trophy (and against Chelsea, nonetheless) is most likely going to have to be happy with a late substitute appearance, since he has only returned Tuesday. Even in his superb condition, and even with Arsene Wenger saying it looks like the Chilean was never even away, Le Prof still admitted that he wasn’t sure how he would use the tireless attacker.

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Which puts the Gunners in a very interesting situation with the Alexis Sanchez contract saga, because it almost feels like they will be auditioning for the Chilean and this is the first act of that audition.

All preseason we have seen some pretty inspiring attacking football (not so much defending) that has simply lacked a bit of a finishing touch, but when it’s been good, it’s been fantastic, and as I keep reminding myself, the longer this attack has to work together, the better they are going to get.

Especially with Alexandre Lacazette, who clearly has so many good ideas but so little chemistry with his team mates just yet.

If the Gunners can come out in this highly competitive fixture against Chelsea and they can string together some inspiring attacking football like they’ve been doing and put up some nice goals and really look in charge, all without Alexis, then guess who feels the need to step it up and work all the harder?

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Alexis.

And guess who starts to rethink that he may already be on the best team in England (because let’s be honest, if the Gunners can put together on the pitch what they have on paper, then game over)?

Alexis.

Even in the match itself, the effect won’t be lost. If the Gunners can go out there in the first 70 minutes and truly dominate with Alexis sitting their watching, then if he comes on as a substitute, he will be wound up and he will be thrilled as a boy on his birthday at Chuck-E-Cheese to be a part of this attack again.

Or, if it’s lopsided, he won’t even come on, and then we can think about that long term effect of him seeing how much the team has improved while he was deliberating in the off-season.

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There is a lot here to watch for, both short and long term, so let the game begin.