Alexis Sanchez Arsenal only title hope

Photo: Alexis Sanchez (Getty Images)

Arsenal May not be in the top four currently in the English Premier League, but they are certainly clawing their way back to the top. Since the exit of players like Patrick Viera, Theiry Henry, Robert Pirez, Tony Adams and David Seaman, Arsenal has not managed to look the same. Last season was the closest they got to lifting the coveted title again by introducing Mezut Ozil, Santi Carzola, and Lucas Poldolski.

One cannot argue, since the departure of Henry, Alexis Sanchez is the best singing the Gunners have had. After convincing performances in Chile between 2005 and 2007, Sanchez went on loan to Argentine side River Plate, where he added the Argentinian Primera Division to his honours.

Following his success in South America, Sanchez made a permanent move to Serie A side Udinese in 2008, where he spent three seasons, scoring 20 goals from 95 appearances, before making the move to Barcelona in 2011. One of the most talked about rising stars in the game, Sanchez attracted the attention of Barcelona and Manchester City in the summer of 2011, eventually signing for the Spanish side.

At Barcelona, Sanchez won both La Liga (2012/13) and the Copa del Rey (2012), as well as the Spanish Super Cup on two occasions (2011, 2013), the Uefa Super Cup (2011) and the Fifa Club World Cup (2011). Sanchez was prolific notching 39 goals and 25 assists in 88 appearances, including 19 goals and 10 assists in 34 La Liga appearances during the 2013-14 club season.

Regarded as one of the world’s finest talents, Sanchez played a starring role at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where Chile qualified from their group (which included the Netherlands, Spain and Australia) and reaching the round of 16. During the tournament, Sanchez scored two goals from his four appearances.

Now, in the summer of 2014 with several years of brilliance in La Liga under his belt, Sanchez has become another signature signing for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal.
Not only is Sanchez the second-most expensive signing in Gunners’ history, he is also the first Chilean to represent the North London club. His move was confirmed after Chile’s exit from the 2014 World Cup, a tournament in which the speedy winger led La Roja to wins over Spain and Australia in Group B prior to a narrow round of 16 defeat to host Brazil on penalties.

Many thought he would fail or at least start slowly, but that is not the indication so far. He was right on the ball scoring his first goal for Arsenal on 27 August 2014. He has so far played 30 games in all competitions this season, many times man-of-the-match. His £32million fee from Barcelona grows in value by the day. No player has been involved in more Premier League goals than Sanchez: 19. He has struck the back of the net 12 times himself, and made seven assists.

At 26 he has plenty more years to make good on his early promise to become a club figurehead.