When Alexis Sanchez joined Arsenal at the beginning of last season he brought his incredible pace, energy and enthusiasm with him, and he practically carried us through the first couple of injury-filled months before reinforcements came off the treatment table.
This season he came back to us tired from the South America and was lacking his usual sparkle, but his energy still rubbed off on his team-mates. Now his hamstring has given him a well deserved rest and he returned against Chelsea with his batteries fully charged. He still needs to get his match sharpness but he should now be ready to lead the team from the front for the rest of the campaign.
Arsene Wenger has revealed it was this trait that first attracted him to the Chilean. “It was playing for Udinese [that I first spotted him],” Wenger said. “He was very dynamic, very direct and very straight to the point.
“He was one of these players where his energy and the intensity of his energy level hits you straight in the face.
“It is strange because he catches your eye with his energy and level of commitment he puts into everything he does and that is what remained with me.”
Wenger must have been really happy when he finally secured his signature, and even happier to have a fresh Sanchez back in the squad at last. He is the last factor in the jigsaw that will put Arsenal back in the driving seat for the games ahead. We will get back to winning games easily again….
Onwards and Upwards!