Alexis Sanchez- Arsenal’s missing link

Alexis Sanchez has already made massive contributions to Arsenal without even kicking a ball. Signing him has already caused a ripple effect of excitement within the Arsenal fan base bigger than the sense of jubilation felt by Mesut Ozil signing.

How many goals do you think I will score?

So what attributes does Alexis Sanchez bring to Arsenal?

Speed:

It is almost impossible to talk about an Arsenal team without speed but that is exactly what we had last season. We were overrun in midfield and suffered heavy losses to Liverpool and Chelsea. As Theo Walcott rightly pointed out, teams in the Premier League are not looking forward to playing Arsenal next season.

Effectiveness:

Effectiveness, goal poacher, or whatever you want to call it. The simple fact is Sanchez will score goals, bucket loads. Last season, Arsenal went back to its roots. It became common to hear 1-0 to the Arsenal. Comfortable wins with one sided score lines became a thing of the past…or rather became one off events. However with Sanchez in the side, expect to see free flowing football with chances actually been converted.

I’m faster than you!

Ozil 2.0:

There is a school of thought that Ozil does not operate well without fast attackers ahead of him. We are about to test that theory. Having Sanchez and Walcott ahead of him, expect to see more clinical through balls.

Here you go mate…do the rest

More options upfront:

Arsene Wenger does not believe Theo Walcott is a true striker. Yes, his finishing has improved tremendously as well as his overall game but not enough to convince Wenger. Lukas Podolski obviously has a lethal left foot when presented with a chance but his movement around the box is slow and lumbered meaning he cannot create opportunities for others to finish or create chances of his own. Alexis Sanchez can give us speed on the wing and play upfront on his own as Arsene Wenger rightly pointed out.

Return of counterattacking football? :

There was time commentators used to time Arsenal’s counter attack after turning defence to attack. With Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry all bearing down on goal and finishing off a sumptuous move, it was football delight. With Walcott, Sanchez, AOC and Ozil, we now have a chance of returning to the type of football that Wenger made so famous.

All in all, it is an exciting time to be an Arsenal fan and there is much more to come.