Does Sanchez’s injury spell the end for Arsenal’s title chances? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Arsenal’s bright start to every season and title hopes comes crashing down after a player gets injured. This happens every single year. Like clockwork.
There are worrying reports from Chile that the Alexis Sanchez has suffered a muscle tear. Some are suggesting that it’s a minor issue, while some are hinting at him being out for six weeks.
Sanchez has been playing spectacularly well, and has grown into his number nine role in recent weeks. He is fluid up top and has goals in the bag which makes him the perfect man to lead the line. While Arsenal do have Olivier Giroud within the ranks, the Frenchman is a very different player, and his presence changes the way the team attacks.
Arsenal’s best performances this season have come when they have been fluid in the front. Giroud also has goals in him but he is a traditional centre-forward, which makes things tricky to say the least.
Sanchez is a critical player for the Gunners but for a change, it seems like Arsenal’s hopes to finish on top of the table might not end if the Chile international is out for a while.
The squad depth at Arsenal is good, and is possibly the best Wenger has had at his disposal for some time, which means that Arsenal can deal with injuries. Even with the Chilean and Lucas Perez out, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud are back.
Aaron Ramsey loves to get inside the box and his runs are often so dangerous. To ensure the lack of movement doesn’t become an issue, the Welshman can be experimented in a forward position, as a false nine.
Theo Walcott has been incredible this season. , Once a prodigy, failed to deliver on his early promise. Finally, the England international looks like he is doing justice to his hype. Walcott is flourishing in the right wing role. He is more experienced than Ramsey in playing the striker role, of course, but shifitng him from the wide position where he is flourishing, to the tip of the attack may not help the club or the player. However, it’s an experiement worth trying, especially since Walcott has played a large chunk of his career playing or wanting to play at the tip of the attack.
Of course, Olivier Giroud is a proper striker available to the Gunners. The Frenchman can score goals and while he doesn’t compliment a fluid attack, his hold-up play and sheer goalscoring skills are really good. Giroud is a proper striker and in Sanchez’s absence, is definitely capable of filling the void. He scored twice after being brought off the bench
Arsenal look better set to deal with Sachez’ injury, if indeed, it is a serious one, than they have in the past. Wenger has plenty of options and ways to try and make another successful system work.
But we’ve been here before, haven’t we? If history is anything to go by, we know what the rest of the season holds for Arsenal.
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