Arsene Wenger has revealed that his search for a world class striker has finally ended after claiming that Sanchez is capable of being Arsenal’s Luis Suarez or Sergio Aguero, according to Arsenal’s official website.
Speaking prior to the Leicester game, the French boss suggested that the Chilean has all the attributes to become the Gunners top striker. He said:
“He is, technically, top (like Aguero). He has similar qualities (to Suarez). And he has a good timing to run behind the defenders.
“I think yes (it could be a long term option). I think it is worth a try as he has the quality to go behind. He has played centre-forward at Barcelona.
“On the flanks he uses a lot of energy by chasing back and I would like to use his energy sometimes a bit more efficiently by going behind the defenders as he is a good finisher.”
There’s no point in debating Sanchez’s quality but his performances playing up front haven’t been great since joining the club.
The Chilean started up front against Liverpool and Leicester but hasn’t impressed many people in trying to prove his credentials as a striker. Even against Leicester, Alexis only looked deadly when he played on either side of the flanks.
This is just the start of the season, so there’s no point in debating whether the Chilean could emulate the performances of Suarez upfront but the signals point to the fact that he is more suited to wings than up front.
Wenger also talked about the transfer window by claiming that he’ll only buy if he finds the right player, but says they have to be better than the players that are already present at the club. He added:
“I believe a club like ours is focused on giving chances to the players we develop in our own club. We have a few strikers who have a chance, if we find the right players we buy. But if you ask people ‘give me names’, you see that it is not that easy – look at a club like Real Madrid, who have they bought? Up front, it is very difficult.
It is an important season for Theo, because last year he had a difficult period. He can play as a striker and his numbers are excellent when he plays up front, we have Giroud, Alexis, Walcott, Akpom and Sanogo who is still here but is injured at the moment – the players we buy have to be better.
Alexis and Walcott have pace, our game is linked with the speed of passing and the speed of movement and you need two.”
Since the Gunners failed title challenge last season, it was evident that Arsenal will sign a striker but as the transfer window is inching towards closure it now looks very much doubtful going by Wenger’s latest comments.
There have been instances over the past decade when we were completely on Wenger’s side in many of his debatable moves and tactics. However, if the French boss doesn’t bring in the striker this window then it more or less means we are also out.
Claiming that there are no strikers available in the market who aren’t an upgrade to the existing forwards is just outrageous. The comments show Wenger’s frustration on repeatedly being queried about transfers instead of focusing on the existing team and players.
We agree on the point that we should look internally first, but we tried the same thing over the past few years and no one from within has emerged so it’s now time to bring in someone who can lift the club. Our belief is that Wenger will definitely sign a striker this window, but don’t know when.
