Martin Keown has claimed that Arsenal could win the league with Alexis Sanchez up front.
The Gunners forward has been moulded into playing in a centre-forward role this season, and this weekend went onto show us why Arsene Wenger has been installed with this newfound confidence within him up front.
Sanchez scored the opening goal of the match before going onto pick up the Man of the Match award in the 3-0 demolition of London rivals Chelsea.
Keown has now moved to praise the Chilean, naming the forward as the stand-out performer in an overly impressive team performance.
He said: “It was a fantastic team performance but this fella is the icing on the cake. I haven’t seen anyone of this quality for years, since [Thierry] Henry.
“He’s got pace, quality and creates panic in the defence.
“Can he link with players as [Olivier] Giroud does? Yes, of course he can.
“You can’t get tight to him. David Luiz and Gary Cahill just couldn’t cope with him.
“It gives Arsenal that little bit of something to attack the opposition. The Arsenal faithful are out of their seats, they have finally got a player that can make the difference.
“It takes lots of things to be champions and you have to have a player at the top of the team to believe in and they certainly believe in him at the moment.”
Is Sanchez now the man to lead the charge as we look to bridge the gap between ourselves and the top of the table? Will a permanent switch to centre-forward help him maintain his form?
Pat J
Alexis is the “mobile striker” we have all been calling for. He creates goals, is a fox in the box, has pace and energy in abundance and most of all, he has “FIGHT”…I think AW signed Lucas to fill in on the wings, knowing he was going to convert Alexis to a CF…
Not I. Heading the ball off a cross or set piece is a big part of any attack and we have the best there is. Not only that but any cross that comes in he can knock it down for a strike like he did for Welbeck last year and Griezeman in the Euro’s.
Everything Alexis is doing now can come from the wing.
@Jim A
How many headers have you seen Kun Aguero, Messi or even Suarez “knock down”? Yet, they’re virtually unstoppable top scorers…
@ Jim andNY Two of the best headers of the ball in recent times are RVP and Olvier Giroud in my most humble opinion’. FFS Olivier is a beast in the air.
@georgie b
I got nothing against Olivier. In fact, I think he’s underrated. I was only making the case for Alexis being the mobile striker some of us were calling for…
Hell yea I agree with you.
Would like to meet in in old London town one of these days. I’m from Poughkeepsie.
Agreed all don’t knock balls down. They are all terrific goal scorers. Mostly when they score they are in one on one situations with the keeper. OG has many half chances because his speed doesn’t allow him to break free of defenders.
When he wins balls in the air he is creating chances or won possessions for the team.
He has scored 80 plus goals for Arsenal and I have always said here that Alexis Theo and OG is our best lineup.
No.
I think Arsene Wenger feels ever more determined now to convert Sanchez into a CF after seeing how the likes of Lucas and Vardy (levels below Alexis in terms of quality) have made similar transition successfully in the past year.
Arsene likes Lucas for what he is. And he is trying to make Alexis into something similar.. like he did with King Henry.
Alexis is our mobile CF. Lucas is “the other mobile CF” in Wenger’s eye.. and he has confirmed that so many times in his statements this season.
Now we have in the squad:
a. 3 mobile CF’s – Alexis, Lucas and Welbeck (aruguably)
b. 1 very good target man CF – Giroud
“very good target man”??? I’m sure you meant “one very sluggish excuse of a striker”
Obviously, Sanchez’s physical strength will cause most defender’s problems and even though he is slowly adapting to CF position, it is far too soon to suggest that he will lead us to the premier league title. The whole team will need to consistently perform like they did in the first half against Chelsea, for us to win the league…. Obviously! ?
“The whole team will need to consistently perform like they did in the first half against Chelsea, for us to win the league”
Yeah, about that….
They don’t have to do this every game to win.
However, I agree they have to do it more times than not -specifically the part where they defend and press as a unit– especially against the bigger teams and at home games.
Our pressing and counter pressing yesterday (in the first half especially) was high-octane and energy-sapping.
Even for a very fit squad, that is difficult to maintain for every game during the season. But it is best to prioritize the bigger games.
Playing high octane would usually mean most games are done in about 60 mins which will give some players a breather and valuable game time for the fringe players.
The team can …..I love the way wallcott played yesterday he defended well and the run belerin made to save us that was class When a team play together as a unit and fight calmly and back each other well the sky is the limit …We saw Leicester do it last year with a cheap squad we have experience and skill and pace what we need is togetherness and together we can us and the Arsenal
I don’t get Arsenal legend Ian Wrights’ getting on Ozil for posting selfie in the dressing room after the match. Saying it will spur on rivals. Sure as hell Chelsea would have done the same if they won.
Because it’s disrespectful and it does spur on rivals.Selfies should be saved for when you have an actual trophy in the dressing room and not when you beat a top 4 rival.Leicester City claimed last yearthat after Arsenal beat them and posted post match selfies that it motivates them and helped them to focuse and eventually win the league
Costa
Yes Alexis is turning into an Aguero/Suarez
Olivier Giroud has to be used sparingly cause we want to see Perez play. The club needs to move forward at the same time play players when they are needed.