I am not going to be too hard on the Arsenal and Chile international star, because Alexis Sanchez at 80 percent is better than most Premier League players in top form. But the fantastic forward does seem to be struggling a little to find the form that made us vote him our best player of last season.
Even against Newcastle, though, when things were not quite happening for him, Alexis was one of the few Arsenal players that looked like they might provide the opening goal. In fact, if Theo Walcott had been on his toes and had brought his finishing boots with him, then the Chilean´s long range shot which Tim Krul could only parry would have made the game a lot less stressful.
However, we do need Alexis on top of his game because he can win a match on his own and is a vital player for us. But I don´t think we need to worry as there is a good reason for him being not quite on it yet and I think the upcoming international break could be just the thing to sort him out.
I reckon it is the same mental and physical after effects that Ozil and Mertesacker struggled with last season after winning the World Cup. This summer´s Copa America trophy was the first in Chile´s history and I think it is taking the Arsenal striker some time to really get back on track, but he is heading back to Chile next week for one friendly game against Paraguay. I think this trip home will help Alexis and his team mates to get their heads round their achievement and get their focus back to the present.
Mark my words, Arsenal will have the real Alexis back before too long and then watch us go…