After we capped off our season with the FA cup last summer, there was a flurry of activity in the transfer window for the Gunners with Sanchez being the Marquee player that was brought in during the summer. With the League title almost out of reach as we look to cement the second place, it might be a good time to review the performance of the Chilean so far this season.
Despite the FA Cup win, last season was not a great one as we struggled to find the goals regularly through out the season which lead to suggestions that we need more talent up front, to which Wenger reacted by signing Alexis Sanchez. When the 26 year old was signed from Barcelona for 35 million pounds, the Gunners fans from all over the world rejoiced at the prospect of having an accomplished goal scorer leading the attack.
It didn’t take much time for him to make a mark as his first goal for the club couldn’t have come at a better time, as his goal helped the Gunners get past Besiktas in to the Champions League group stage.
From then on he took the Premier League by the scruff of its neck. The Chilean was a standout player in the League during the first half of the season contributing for more than half of all the goals scored by Arsenal. He won over the fans with his all action display and tireless work ethic.
He won the games for the club on his own when crucial offensive first team players Mesut Ozil and Oliver Giroud were injured. He carved out chances out of nothing for himself and his teammates. He kept us in contention for the title and importantly the top 4 spot. He even navigated the tough Christmas schedule without getting burnt out and still having played all the matches.
His performances slightly dropped over the turn of the new year comparing with the ridiculously high standards he set in the first half of the season. His goal tally now stands at 22 goals and joined the elite league of foreign imports( Thierry Henry) who have scored more than 20 goals in their first season with the club.
His dip in form was kind of expected considering that Spain has a winter break, which he was devoid of here and it was also his first season making his exploits look even better. Quite rewardingly he was even shortlisted for the PFA player of the Year award. He gets a 9 out of a 10 for his performances this season, no questions asked.
What do you think of Sanchez’s performances this season?
