Arsenal: If only we had waited to buy Alexis Sanchez until now

Arsenal has been often accused of having so little hunger by Alexis Sanchez. Which makes me think that it’s a shame we didn’t wait to buy him until now.

Have you ever had such a bad first impression with someone that you ask if you can start over? That’s what I wish Arsenal could do with Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean has become so disenchanted with the Gunners over the past few years that he’s been here and it’s plain to see why, as he says it openly.

The team lacked hunger. That’s what Alexis said, rather frequently in fact. He slated his team mates for not wanting it enough and, in response, he often felt the need to go at it alone and provide all the hunger himself.

Which sucks. Because if we could just “start over” with Alexis Sanchez in the present day, I think he’d like the results, as would we.

I’m still sold on this belief that Arsene Wenger is taking the club in a new direction that favors hard work and effort over individual style and fanciness. The latter can be awfully dependent on confidence and the former certainly isn’t.

Which is a big reason why Alexis recognized the lack of hunger. Because when Arsenal were beaten, they accepted it. The confidence wasn’t there to turn things around.

With the likes of Sead Kolasinac, Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey running the show, and Jack Wilshere soon to join, Alexis would be seeing the Arsenal that he always wanted it to be – hungry, determined and, dare I even say fierce.

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If only we could hit the reset and start over. Arsenal, in their present state, is much better quipped to handle what Alexis Sanchez brings, and he would benefit so much more from those around him.

Unfortunately, we can’t. All signs point to the Chilean’s exit in the summer, if not even in January. His run the with the Gunners looks to be coming to a close. It would take one hell of a turnaround to get him to stay.

Thankfully, if ever such a drastic turnaround were to happen, these would be the guys to do it.

I still believe that if Arsenal were to go on and win the title, Alexis would stay. It sounds absolutely batty to say it out loud (which I did) and it’s not even clear if Alexis would still be here to celebrate such an unlikely title, but if it were to happen, then why wouldn’t he? That’s what he came here for.

Alexis Sanchez is another effort-driven guy who happens to have gobs of individual talent to go on top of it. His younger self would have made a killing surrounded by the effort-driven guys that now propel the club.

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Maybe timing just wasn’t on our side this time around. At the very least though, at least the club is going to be moving forward with that hunger and determination that they didn’t have prior. Even if it is without Alexis.

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