When Alexis Sanchez limped off the pitch as Arsenal were held to a draw away to Norwich City at the end of November, a lot of Arsenal fans were left fearing for what might happen to our season without the Chile international. But as the Gunners managed a very good run of results in December without the star man, we might have become a bit blasè about what he brings to the team.
Not after today though, as Alexis reminded us all just what he brings to the table. Pace, power and hopefully the Premier League trophy once the dust settles in May. The return of Sanchez comes just as the Gunners were starting to falter in our race for the EPL title and it is no exaggeration to say that he will make the difference to us winning it or not.
As well as a brilliant all round game from Alexis today, which also served to inspire the Arsenal players around him to greater effort, he provided a goal and an assist which made the difference in the match against Burnley and that difference is what we need for the rest of the season.
The fact that his return comes around the same time as we are getting back other key players like Coquelin should give the whole club a huge lift and I expect us now to go up another gear and start playing like we were earlier in the season before we lost the Chilean.
Starting with Southampton on Tuesday, is Alexis set to steer Arsenal back to the top?