Arsenal: How times have changed for Alexis Sanchez

Arsenal may have already sealed a fate with Alexis Sanchez that seemed so daunting not long ago, but how times have changed for the Chilean.

Football is a funny game. You can have double the shots, triple the passes and, at one point, eight attack minded players on the pitch as Arsenal did, with Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette wreaking havoc on Smalling and Co. And yet the media can portray a 3-1 comprehensive win for Manchester United.

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Against Manchester United, Arsenal’s front three ticked. Mesut Ozil was his usual self. He created his chances, did his hard work and continued his wonderful resurgence to form. Lacazette was the synonym of sharpness once again, taking shots, holding up the ball and stretching United’s defence. Alexis Sanchez was his usual self as he has been this year. He amazed and frustrated in equal measures.

This season is unusual for the Chilean. What should he play for? The World Cup, his team haven’t made the cut. Arsenal, he is leaving so who knows. A transfer, he will get one regardless.

But there should be a degree of respect associated with the contract. He is still a menace for defences with his neat footwork. But he is also loosing possession the most in the team.

He is scooping balls to the centre and right instead of playing closer to the box. Four goals and two assists in 12 League matches is usual Alexis. Loosing possession 33 times in a match is Alexis as well.

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Last year he carried the team on his own. He was taking matches by the scruff of the neck. The fan base was worried how would Arsenal replace the all-action Chilean. Mesut Ozil’s contract was pegged down in priority.

Fast forward to this day, and God help us forget Ozil’s masterclass against Spurs and Huddersfield. He is a special breed and difficult to replace entirely. Even in his ‘walking like a zombie’ days, he is crucial and irreplaceable to the Gunners.

We are linked with Fekir, Draxler and even Zaha to replace him. His new contract will undoubtedly please Arsenal fans but there is a degree of regret that we may have already lost him.

Sanchez may have his head elsewhere – to the blue half of Manchester, the riches of PSG, or the lure of Real Madrid.

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But if Arsenal are to have a somewhat successful season, he has to perform for the shirt. If Sanchez can function well in the amazing OLA trio, expect goals and expect wins. But if not there’s no reason to believe we can’t replace him.