Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hailed talisman Alexis Sanchez following the Chilean international’s scintillating display against West Ham United.
Sanchez scored a hat-trick and set up Mesut Ozil for the opening goal of the game as Arsenal cruised to a 5-1 win at the London Stadium.Wenger believes that Sanchez is a unique player and praised his work ethic.
“Alexis Sanchez – it took him a while mentally to get into the game, but he can always give you something special,” Wenger told BBC Sport.
“He’s a fighter and a classy player. You don’t find many players like him. He can always surprise you. He also has great technique as well.
“I believe we are on a strong run and it’s down to us to be mentally ready to maintain that run.”
The 27-year-old has been in brilliant form this season and has registered 13 goals and 9 assists for the club so far this campaign.
Arsenal fans spent the summer bemoaning Wenger’s inability to sign a 20-goal a season forward that coudl fire them to the title.
But the Frenchman looks like he has finally struck gold after making a tactical switch and pushing Sanchez a little closer to the opponents goal:
“I think he likes the position,” the Gunners manager said.
“When it comes off and he walks off with the ball under his arm it’s a good feeling and I hope there is more to come.
“The leading strikers in world football at the moment are South American.
“He has all the ingredients to be a top-class striker and he showed that again. He’s quick, he can dribble, and he has the killer instinct.”
Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also heaped praise on the Chilean international and likened him to Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.
“Alexis Sanchez was brilliant, he gives you that speed in behind opposing defences,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain.
“He’s like Sergio Aguero in many ways. You get balls up to him and he can just make things happen.
“He’s an amazing player and it’s great to have in the team. We are good on the counter-attack and Mesut Ozil and Alexis are the first to turn and go in behind.”
Sanchez is the only player ever to have scored a hat-trick in the La Liga, Premier League and Serie A. The former Barcelona player pounced on Angelo Ogbonna’s mistake and set up Mesut Ozil to slot the ball into the empty net to break the deadlock in the 24th minute.
Arsenal missed a lot of opportunities to have a two-goal cushion and West Ham failed to test Petr Cech in the Arsenal goal. The Gunners finally had their second of the night as Sanchez scored a sublime solo goal in the 72nd minute.
Eight minutes later, he scored his second as his first-time strike from the edge of the box found the bottom corner of Randolph’s goal.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also got on the scoresheet for the Gunners with a stunning strike from distance. The England international then provided the through ball for Alexis Sanchez to complete his 14-minute hat-trick.
The win moved Arsenal to second in the league table 3 points behind leaders Chelsea and enhanced their title credentials.
