Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Crystal Palace: 5 things we learned – Alexis Sanchez the difference

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal celebrates as he scores their third goal with Hector Bellerin during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on December 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal celebrates as he scores their third goal with Hector Bellerin during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on December 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Alexis Sanchez
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 28: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal celebrates as he scores their third goall during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on December 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

2. Alexis Sanchez sparkles

Alexis Sanchez was the difference in this game. In his first season in the Premier League, Sanchez averaged 3.3 dribbles per game. The next season, that figure rose to 3.4 dribbles-per-game. And last season, it was marginally reduced at 2.9 dribbles per game. This season, though, he has completed just 2.1 dribbles-per-game.

Given his style as a direct, powerful, driving winger who wants to take on defenders and cause problems with the ball at his feet, that is an unacceptable drop-off. So it is no surprise, then, that in his best performance of the season, Sanchez completed five dribbles. He also scored two wonderful goals.

The first was a typically instinctively Sanchez strike. No backlift, hit earlier than Swiss transport, this was a sharp and powerful strike that caught Julian Speroni by surprise at his near post. His second was less instinctive and more simply sublime. Two brilliant touches: the first to bring Jack Wilshere’s lofted through pass under his command with the outside of his right thigh; the second a prod past Speroni into the bottom corner. He really can do some remarkable things with a football. This was one of his best.