Arsenal round-up: More injury concerns; Chamberlain studying Alves; Sanchez offered huge contract

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Arsenal are facing several selection issues this weekend and the Independent report that they will be sweating on the fitness Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The former looked uncomfortable leaving the field of play following the Gunners’ 3-1 victory over Everton last Sunday. Although Arsene Wenger is hoping to start with the Chilean on Saturday, it isn’t a foregone conclusion that he will prove his fitness in time. Meanwhile, there are doubts regarding Oxlade-Chamberlain as he ended the season with a hamstring injury and missed the final few matches.

These would be big blows, as they are both vital to the way Arsenal play. Despite their defensive concerns, it would be wise to start with the 3-4-2-1 formation as they have already shown that they can’t compete with Chelsea using a 4-2-3-1. At Stamford Bridge in February, the Blues were the better team and the mismatch of formations meant that they were afforded too much space in the final third. For that reason, it is important that the Gunners use a formation with three at the back. In such a formation, Oxlade-Chamberlain is key at right wing-back, while Sanchez thrives in the final third with the freedom given to him.

Since arriving at the Emirates Stadium as a teenager, Oxlade-Chamberlain has struggled to secure a regular first team spot. That is until this season, in which he has been one of the team’s best players. The change to a 3-4-2-1 formation led to him being deployed in an unusual role of right wing-back, but he delivered some encouraging performances there and he has admitted that he has adapted his game by studying Dani Alves.

“When I’ve watched Dani Alves recently, he might not play the five at the back, but the way he plays, he marches on and he adds a lot in an attacking sense as well as defensively. Players like that, you watch and you learn from them,” he told the Mirror.

The Brazilian is arguably the best right-back of all time and he has thrived in a more advanced wing-back role at Juventus. His displays in the Champions League have been superb and underlined that he remains a world class player. It is encouraging that Oxlade-Chamberlain is choosing to learn from him and adapt his game in order to be the best wing-back that he can be. He does come across as a player that is always looking to better himself and this is testament to that.

Finally, the future of Alexis Sanchez continues to be debated and he will take up a lot of column inches until it is resolved. The Daily Mail report that they haven’t given up hope of keeping the Chilean with a huge £270,000-per-week deal being offered to him to stay with Arsenal. This is short of the £300,000 that he is demanding, but the offer is loaded with incentives that take the amount closer to the figure he wants. Further talks are planned after the FA Cup final, but interest from Bayern Munich, PSG and Manchester City remains.

This is encouraging for Arsenal supporters and it shows that the club refuse to give up hope of keeping the Chilean. It would be a surprise if he opted to stay at the club, but there is a possibility, especially if the terms on offer are too good to turn down. He would remain in the Premier League on a global stage and keeping him would allow the club to sign a better calibre of player, as targets will believe the club are being more ambitious. Sanchez is likely to demand that the club spend money on key areas this summer before agreeing to stay. It remains more likely that he will leave given the level of clubs interested, but this contract offer suggests it isn’t a foregone conclusion.

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