If the terrible news about the Arsenal and Germany international midfielder Mesut Ozil is true and he is going to miss a few months because of a knee problem, then one of our other recent signings from La Liga may get his wish. Because the former Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez has revealed, in an Arsenal.com report, that he hates it when he does not complete the full 90 minutes of a game.
The Chile international just wants to play and because of his fitness and ability, there is no reason why he shouldn’t, especially if Ozil is not going to be available until sometime around the new year. I’m not really sure why Arsene Wenger has not started and finished with Alexis in every game, because his award for Arsenal Player of the Month is no less than he deserves, but if the manager thought he was doing the right thing and easing him into the Premier League, Alexis has issued him with a clear message that he does not need or want any cotton wool treatment.
Regular playing time or the lack of it was one of the main reasons for the Chilean striker to want to leave Barcelona in the first place and we have rarely seen a player from abroad settle so quicjly into English football. Not only has he settled, but Alexis also claims that he loves the rough and tumble of English football, as long as he is not watching it from the sidelines.
Senor Sanchez said, “Compared to the other leagues I’ve played in, I think this is the hardest and I like it a lot, I really do.
“Before I signed, people had told me about how Arsenal were a big club with lots of quality players. Now I’m here I look at all the players during training and realise just what fantastic quality they all have.
“I can run and cut inside on my left foot, but any position is good for me as long as I’m playing football because I hate being on the bench. If you take me off it’s like you’re taking the ball off me.
“I want to win everything. Looking at the coaches and players we have, with a winning attitude and ambition, we can win absolutely anything.”
The news about Ozil’s injury is not good, obviously, but that is why Arsenal have a big squad after all. And the timing is pretty favourable for us as well, because with Theo Walcott close to a comeback, Alexis can occupy the left forward position and Cazorla, Rosicky and Wilshere can fight for the number 10 role.
So Arsene, listen to the man and just let Alexis play will you?