Alexis Sanchez is certainly Arsenal’s main man in form so far this season, having found himself excelling in a new role for the team. With Olivier Giroud unfit at the start of the season, Arsene Wenger decided to take a punt on trying Alexis up front and it’s certainly a move that’s paid off. Now some individuals in the game have begun to suggest that Alexis could prove to be as vital to the team as Thierry Henry was back in the day.
Thierry Henry is not only the club’s record goalscorer but also most probably the number one Gunner in the club’s history. Henry was more than a special player that really lit up the pitch for the Gunners and although it’s been almost ten years since the Frenchman left the club for Barcelona, Arsenal have largely struggled to found a striker quite so prolific since. Many strikers have come and gone throughout the years, but it’s the converted winger Alexis who has proven to be probably most prolific in front of goal.
Some of the comparisons made in recent weeks have probably pushed the boundaries, because of course Alexis is still only in his first season of playing for Arsenal as a striker, as well as the fact Sanchez is very much in a prime stage of his career, compared to Henry who joined in his younger years. But I think the comparison in terms of how both players work on the pitch is very fair and it’s led to Alexis himself stating just how great it would’ve been to link up with the Arsenal legend, had he still been playing.
Alexis said: “He had a huge repertoire and great vision. I like playing with players with such a panoramic vision. I think we would do great together. We would be constantly moving, going up and down, coming and going. I would have loved playing with Henry.”
“He was more of a scorer than I am. I think I would assist him for every goal he would score! I’m more into passing and he is a great goalscorer.”
Can you imagine a side that would feature both Alexis and Henry, it would terrify defences in both the league and Europe! Alexis has been notching up both goals and assists, with the Chilean already proving vital to the Arsenal’s success in the all competitions so far this season. Having scored 14 goals and assisted on 8 occasions in 22 appearances so far this season, Alexis is showing exactly what a talent he is in his newfound position up front.
I must admit I had my reservations about Alexis playing up front at the start of the season, but now I’m certainly glad Wenger stuck to his guns and gave the Chilean a run in the team as a striker. Alexis has shown pace, power, strength and fight to be a very tough player for defenders to face, and let’s hope that continues for the rest of the season.
By AH