Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez on back foot for first time since his transfer

Arsenal’s smashing win over Bournemouth had everything you could want. But it did lack for Alexis Sanchez, who not finds himself in an awkward situation.

I keep saying that the best part about Arsenal’s win over Bournemouth is where the hard statistics came from. Alexis Sanchez, the want-away, didn’t register a goal or an assist. Mesut Ozil, who has yet to sign a new deal either, had himself a great outing but did not register a goal or an assist.

All of the early attack came from the two new boys and Danny Welbeck. Why is this good? Because when the two new guys are performing like they did today, it shows that A. Arsene Wenger nailed it and B. the club did improve, which again, they really did.

And with Welbeck putting in an absolute show out there, it puts Arsenal in a very unique positions where Alexis Sanchez is on the back foot. Throughout his entire North London career, he has always been the first name on the team sheet, no questions asked. Hesitation was not necessary, he was our best player.

Now, as you head into Chelsea and the matches begin to pick up again, you have to start to ask yourself if Alexis may be the one that has to fight for his spot and prove himself.

First of all, we have to figure out who leaves that front three to accommodate the Chilean. Which would have been an easy decision until Welbeck had his man of the match performance. You have to ask if it’s worth risking a typical Welbeck let down or if it’s right to give him another chance to follow up an expert performance.

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I think, going into Chelsea, it still has to be Welbeck that makes way. Never before have we watched him have a stellar performance and then let him sit on it and mull it over. It sounds crazy, but when you’ve tried just about everything else for the guy, something has to change.

The reason I say this is because you need to give Alexis a chance to fire back. Lacazette can’t be sat anymore. Period. End of discussion. And we all know Mesut Ozil isn’t going anywhere. So let Welbeck be the one to take the fight to Alexis.

I’m not completely opposed to saving Alexis for a sub against Chelsea and letting Welbeck have a go, solely for the effort that he brings, but it’d be more effective if you tell Alexis, “alright, you’ve seen what he can do, now prove why you should be out there.” Treat him like he’s on equal footing with everyone else because, guess what? He is.

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And then, if Alexis answers, great. If he doesn’t, you send on Welbeck late in the game and let him continue his run.

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