Sanchez is a gooner
The announcement of Alexis Sanchez must have sent chills down spine to the Arsenal faithful.
During this period last year if I can remember, the fans were expressing their disgust to Arsene Wenger’s parsimonious and snail antics in the transfer market. That same year, Luis Suarez was linked to the club. A transfer which many hoped would be successful, but expressed skepticism due to Wenger’s unwillingness to spend. An hierarchy in Liverpool eventually responded with a scathing tweet to the Gunners. ” What are they smoking over there at the Emirates?”
And then on came Higuain- A player with so much vital experience in Spanish football- After losing RVP to United, it felt like the Argentine forward was the big striker the faithful craved for.
None materialized anyway. However, on transfer deadline day, the club announced the signing of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid. One of the best midfielders in the world coming from one of the biggest football clubs- it was ostensibly the turning point of Arsenal transfer dealings.
Improvement of key players, combined with the vision of Ozil made Arsenal a different outfit from the previous seasons. And it was no surprise they had a healthy 7-points lead adrift on the English Premier League log until injuries crumbled their title aspirations.
But losing the title by meager 7-points illustrates a much improved gunners side. Also worth reminding they ended the trophy drought torture that same season by lifting the prestigious Facup.
It spurred a change at the Emirates. Arsene Wenger is now prepared to spend big and sensible to upgrade his team, if a mad-man told you that few seasons back, you could understand due to his state.
Alexis Sanchez is no ordinary prospect.
He had an outstanding tournament at the Worldcup, also with the experience of playing in two big countries- Spain and Italy
In Barcelona, the pacy forward has a record of 39 goals in 88 appearances.
Wenger on his latest recruit said:
‘’Alexis will add power, creativity and much quality to our squad and we are all looking forward to him joining up with us in a few weeks.’’
After the departure of Robin Vanperise, the gunners attacking prowess stayed efficient but tame.
Maybe because RVP could change the outcome of a football game in splits of seconds with varieties of breath-taking goals all alone, while Olivier Giroud needs more support and key passes before getting his name on the score-sheet.
Giroud is not bad though. His key passes, through balls and Aerial duels would be vital next season for a team determined to annihilate the issue of depth.
The only predicament however is, if Wenger decides to play Sanchez as the main striker, that could result in a problem for the French striker who failed to score from coming off the bench last season, according to Whoscored.
That waits to be seen, especially with Joel Campbell coming back from loan, and Walcott who can also play as the main striker. It creates a selection headache for the boss in the final third, something he would certainly fancy.
The thought of Sanchez working in tandem with Mesut Ozil for destruction is a cause for concern for rivals. Even the player shares the mentality saying:
‘’Mesut Ozil is an important player worldwide, both at club and at international level. With Ozil in the squad Arsenal was close to winning the league title. I hopoe I can make a contribution so we can win as many titles as possible.’’
Despite the injury voodoo of last season, the German Shepard managed 9 assists in the EPL, and 12 assists in all competitions. This season he’s definitely got an eye for more and with Sanchez in the frame, it’s bound to galvanize the Gunners attack.
Some seasons back, Arsenal had Park, Chamakh, Andre Santos, Gervinho, Arshavin and Song, now however, it’s a seismic transition for the NorthLondon club.
Santos is replaced with the more vibrant and disciplined Kieran Gibbs, Cazorla is entrusted with the left position, drifting in proficiently and making passes more than Gervinho or Arshavin would have managed, and ofcourse, new recruit Alexis Sanchez is a better valuation than Park and Chamakh combined- Who is that making changes, Arsenal?
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