Who should Arsenal turn to if Alexis Sanchez departs?
Alexis Sanchez already has 17 goals and nine assists in the Premier League
The annual debate surrounding Arsene Wenger’s future has ended up overshadowing the possibility that Arsenal’s best player could be set to leave the club this summer, according to sources such as the Independent.
Juventus are said to be favourites to secure the services of Alexis Sanchez, who has bagged 21 goals in all competitions this season.
Given how important he is to Arsenal, not just in terms of his goals but also his versatility and mentality, he will be incredibly hard to replace if he goes. With that in mind, here are three realistic options the Gunners could pursue.
James Rodriguez
The Colombian has struggled to find a role for himself in Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid team this season, making only seven La Liga starts and playing ninety minutes just twice.
Coming off the bench has been a familiar scenario for James Rodriguez this campaign
Anyone who watched the last World Cup knows how good he can be and at 25 he needs to be playing regular football so this move would make sense for both parties.
Arsenal will face competition, and it will be costly, but if they could convince him to sign they would be getting a bona fide superstar with a point to prove.
The fact David Ospina is his brother-in-law might help too.
Thomas Lemar
Monaco’s Thomas Lemar celebrates a goal
One of a number of Monaco players to catch the eye this season, Lemar can play on either flank or centrally so would certainly tick the versatility box.
He’s also got an eye for goal, being double figures for the season already, and has the technical ability and intelligent movement to fit into how Arsenal play.
He’s still some way off the level of Sanchez – almost all players are – but at 21 he’d be an exciting buy for both the present and the future and signing a long-term Tottenham target would surely go down well with supporters.
Wilfried Zaha
Perhaps a surprising suggestion, but Zaha is in the best form of his life and unlike the two aforementioned players has proven himself in the Premier League.
Wilfried Zaha struggled at one bog club before, but looks capable of making the step up now
His combination of power, speed and technique is rare and they are characteristics both shared with Sanchez and that would make him a very exciting prospect for a coach – be that Wenger or someone else – to work with.
If Arsenal take the view that they won’t be able to replace Sanchez with just one purchase, somebody like Zaha who looks ready to take the next step in his career and offers a level of flair lacking from Arsenal’s neat and similar attackers would be an intriguing option.
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