All Arsenal fans could dream of having a team of players that played with the energy and confidence of our star man Alexis Sanchez, but even if we had two of him up front that would make us into formidable opponents for any team in the world.
So if Theo Walcott is aiming to play like the Chilean, then this can only be good for the Gunners. He was quoted as saying in the Mirror: “When I first saw Alexis Sanchez join the club, I thought, ‘Wow, yeah, this is a big statement’. Then, actually seeing in the flesh what he does – you see a winner there.
“He wants to win and he wants to achieve things. And, with that work-rate, if he can do it, then why can’t I do it?
“Maybe that was missing a few years ago. Now, I’ve really thought, ‘I need to step up’ and players like that help.”
Alexis is a fantastic example of the complete striker, even though Wenger believes he is more effective on the left wing, and if he gives inspiration to the rest of the squad to emulate him he is worth his weight in gold.
We can all see that Walcott is improving already and his confidence as striker is growing with every game. Not only in trying to copy Sanchez, Theo has also been taking advice from his hero Thierry Henry who has been coaching the U18’s at the club. Walcott explained how this is to his benefit: “Having Thierry at the club now, I have been chatting to him on a personal level behind the scenes to learn things from him.
“He’s with the under-18s and, at times, I think some of them don’t even know who he is! I’ve had quite a few words with him about some of the games I’ve played.
“He has just given me his analysis on myself and, if I’ve needed to ask him some questions about it, he’s always there. That’s what coaches are there for.
“I think, sometimes, you see this generation of players, they’re actually scared to go up to coaches and ask something.
“Going back to the question about when it clicked about going up front, that was one of the things Arsene wanted me to do – to be more aggressive on the pitch.
“And maybe he’s sensed that I’ve had more aggression.
“I actually said, ‘Do you want me to get stuck into people?’ That was my reaction. He said, ‘No, I’m not saying that’. He wanted me to be more aggressive, in terms of running at players, closing them down, tracking back, being there and in their faces.”
Which is what Sanchez does all the time. Walcott is learning from some of the best in the business, and if you can’t improve with teachers like that around then you never will. I believe he is taking it all on board, and very soon we will have two Duracell Bunnies twisting opposing defenders inside out!
Onwards and Upwards!
Ohh baby alexis spread your fighting spirit all over the pitch
I am at a bit of a loss why all the players don’t play with the fight and desire of Sanchez every single day. If I was paid 100 grand a week I would run myself into the ground!
Me too,G-Rude! we would be three of us plus Alexis!
It’s about their stamina i’m sure that every player is giving his best on the pitch the difference is about the fighting spirit to put fear in your opponent
Because its easier said than done.
Could Wilshire be our second Sanchez? He takes people on well, he has the fighting spirit, and he shoots with his left foot. Put Wilshire on the right and give him a chance at it ????
No! Wilshere is better playing from the middle or beside Lecoq
What about living Wiltshire on the bench forever? ??He is better player when injuriedo, we really miss him???
If Walcott can replicate the workout of Sanchez we would be frightening up top
14′ Junior taking a word or two King 14′ wow that will do much good to him. And the team in general. By the way Alexis is a MONSTER.
That will manage this league. A few more of Alexis, the Boss, Gabriel, even the spirit of Mathiew and Ox (attacking)
@Jessy
Don’t forget”Le Coq”…”Flame” has a heck of a fighting spirit as well…
QUESTION, I assume. and hope the Arsenal franchise are looking and putting out feelers for the eventual replacement for Arsene Wenger when he decides to retire to Monte Carlo.
Don’t think he will retire. AOBs should pray Wenger will not win the league this year because if he does then Fergusson’s record will be in tatters.
Wenger isn’t interested in adding more top players. If he did, he would have at least got one outfield player (Adelaide doesn’t count) this summer
No chance of January transfer. Clubs do not like to sell in middle of season, players do not like to move in January AND most importantly Wenger lost his crowbar to pry open his tight pocket for his wallet
And why Adelaide doesn’t count? Probably he will have just as much games as Wilshere and Welbeck this season. As for January transfers I would not be so sure. Just check the last two windows and see for yourself deals like Mata, Schurrle, Bony even Gabriel.
Fighting spirit? Gabriel has that too. Theo is really improving, honestly. he just need chance and injury free and he’ll be that monster too. no wonder he’s running like a cow on Sunday -pressuring utd defense and that slide tackle on Schewinterger says it all.
Sanchez is a rare beast he was born that way. Maybe 80% of his talent is natural the other 20% is sheer hard work that his talent demands. I`ve been around for a long time since before the days of Stanley Matthews and, unless my memory fails me, he`s the best I`ve seen.
To be honest dude saying that is ‘natural talent’ is kinda strange, from what I have read, Alexis has tried hard all his life and any natural talent is because of that.
Its easy to associate natural talent with hard work but hard work is more admirable in my opinion ^.^
I fully agree that Alexis is a rare beast, that guy never seems to stop… Has he got any body fat? Pure muscle isn’t he? Even when he loses the ball, he doesn’t give up and I really like seeing that hard work.