Three things we learnt from Watford 1-3 Arsenal including Özil’s return

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Alexis Sanchez Can Play As A Striker (In The Right Circumstances)

Let’s be clear – if Wenger really fancied Sanchez as a central striker he would have given him a run there during his first two seasons at Arsenal. Olivier Giroud’s truncated pre-season following the Euros has forced his hand, and the Chilean has improved with each game. Sanchez has many of the technical qualities to be top class striker; he is quick, powerful, an instinctive finisher with either foot and has good spring.

The doubt is whether he has the positional discipline to perform the role. Sanchez likes to come deep or into wide positions to turn and run with ball, which is one of his biggest strengths. Sometimes strikers have to be more patient and wait for the ball to come to them.

This eagerness to roam and get involved cannot be coached out of Sanchez; it’s what makes him the player he is. Today, he frequently drifted into the left channel to play triangles or dribble at the Watford defence. Arsenal however, always had somebody running into the space he vacated in the middle. Özil’s run and header for their third goal is the perfect example.

Sanchez was heavily involved against Leicester, but the Gunners did not get bodies in central positions when he went wandering. They did today, and this is crucial if the ‘Sanchez experiment’ is to work. Aaron Ramsey’s return will give Arsenal another willing runner.

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