ith the opening game of Arsenal’s season just days away, the question on most Gooners’ mind is ‘who starts up top?’ Theo? Chuba? Yaya!?
Olivier Giroud’s absence from preseason has left Arsene Wenger scratching his head and staring blankly at his dusty-old chequebook. With latest defensive injury setbacks to both Per Mertesacker and the unfortunate Gabriel, the Gunners may be forced to spend the remainder of their transfer budget in repairing the depleted backline.
Whilst many would argue that the North London side’s bank balance is healthy enough to bring in a centre forward as well, the recruitment team at Arsenal have never been afraid to look inside the club for solutions, and there is a certain individual who could potentially light up the Emirates next season in an advanced role.
Here’s why Alexis Sanchez is the man to lead the line for Arsenal.
The most important ability a forward must have at Arsenal, besides goals, is the talent of bringing others into the game. To provide a backboard for midfielders to play off, thus creating opportunities for teammates. The Chilean has this quality in abundance. Whilst he is prone to the odd selfish-run, Alexis has excellent technique and vision, creating 62 chances for his colleagues in the Premier League last season, despite missing 8 fixtures. His finesse enables him to provide top service to those around him, and if he were to be deployed further up the pitch, Arsenal’s goal tally would be destined to improve.
Let’s talk about goals. The diminutive forward knows how to find the back of the net, notching 29 goals in 65 EPL appearances from a wide position. He possesses the power to score all kinds of goals. From long rangers to tap ins, from team plays to solo efforts. Free kicks, penalties, you name it – Alexis certainly has the full package. For his size, he is outstanding in the air, scoring 4 headers for the club since arriving in 2014. His tenacity and desire to win puts him alongside his South American counterparts, Tevez and Suarez, both of whom enjoyed rich veins of form in England playing down the middle. Who’s to say Alexis won’t follow suit?
Many Arsenal fans hold the view that whilst the London club needs another centre forward, Olivier Giroud has done a fair job leading the line for the past 4 years, and want to find a striker who can compliment the Frenchman’s abilities. During the Euros, Antoine Griezmann was deployed up top with Olivier to great effect. While the Atletico Madrid forward may be out of Arsenal’s price range, Sanchez could provide a similar service, playing instead of Giroud, but also offering an alternative option for the manager to play two up top.
If money is not spent, fans will grumble. The usual media ploy will surface again: ‘there was nobody available’. But it should not be all doom-and-gloom. Look at the positives, Arsenal fans, and realise what a special player we already have integrated into our squad. Alexis has the potential to be our Aguero, our Suarez, our Tevez, if he is given the opportunity to lead the Arsenal attack.
