Perhaps the answer to all of Arsene Wenger’s striking dilemmas has been right in front of his eyes all along.
Every season with each passing transfer window Arsenal’s rumour mill goes into overdrive and there is always a plethora of striking talent linked with a move to the Emirates.
That on each occasion brings with it an emotional rollercoaster for fans who feel the frustration of the club’s failure to attract a talisman that can deliver the 30 goals a season that they so dearly desire.
When Alexis Sanchez arrived from world-beaters Barcelona, it was seen as a great transfer coup and there was an undeniable buzz around the club. However, that buzz soon dissipated as supporters, not simply content with a winger, craved a frontman of the same ilk of Thierry Henry.
Many Gooners forget that arguably their greatest ever player began life in North London as predominantly a winger before eventually taking a central role. Henry went on to become one of the finest strikers of his generation and Arsenal’s top-scorer in all competitions, scoring 228 in two spells at the club.
In a similar tale, Sanchez joined the club as a wide-man and is now gaining more and more experience as a centre-forward. And the former Udinese attacker’s statistics at Arsenal make for interesting reading.
The Chilean scored 47 times and managed 26 assists in his first 100 games for the club; that is a goal or assist every 1.4 games. And it is also just one goal fewer than what Gunners legend Henry managed in the same amount of matches.
Comparisons between the two are uncanny. Henry netted 26 times in his first season, Sanchez managed 25. Henry scored four penalties, while Sanchez has scored four free-kicks.
Having moved centrally this summer, the 27-year old could be set to stay there after hitting a rich vein of form at the start of the campaign. With Olivier Giroud injured the Chilean rose to the occasion, evolving and adapting to the new role well. This season alone has seen Sanchez muster five goals and five assists from eight games.
His positional play and ability to run the channels adds a new dimension to an Arsenal side who perhaps lack a similar attacking nous with Giroud leading the line. His new position is also bringing out the best in his teammates and his movement leaves gaps for others to fill and exploit. And in the Premier League he is creating a chance every 47 minutes compared to the French international averaging one every 67 minutes.
Do Arsenal need to buy a striker? Time will tell. Sanchez will need to maintain his run of form. So we must wait with abated breath to discern whether Sanchez can replicate the success of previous Arsenal stars who have been redeployed under Wenger.
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