SANCHEZ SET TO LOSE STRIKER POSITION

Chile international Alexis Sanchez is set to lose his position as striker in the Arsenal squad, with reports that the Gunners have finally landed a forward from Deportivo La Caruna.

Lucas Perez has been on the club’s radar for long, but with the transfer deadline closing in a few days, Arsenal signed him to join Olivier Giroud in leading the attack.

Sanchez has been playing the position, since the poor run of form of Frenchman Giroud, with coach Arsene Wenger claiming the former Barcelona star player has all the requires qualities to play upfront. Wenger compared him to La Liga golden boot holder and former Reds Striker Luis Suarez.

“He has similar qualities [to Suarez] and he has a good timing to run behind the defenders,” Wenger said in defence of the Chilean in the role. Former Reds striker Emile Heskey also hailed Suarez, asking that Liverpool get a player of Suarez’s quality to try to replace him, as he believes he cannot be replaced. When asked if Sanchez could play in the role in the long term, he said:

“I think yes. I think it is worth to try as he has the quality to go behind.” Wenger added that when Sanchez plays on the planks, he uses a lot of energy “a bit more efficiently” as he beats the defenders and finishes well. However, he reminded everyone that Sanchez was a centre forward at top rated side Barcelona.

Arsenal has the option of playing Chuba Akpom and Theo Walcott in front, but after losing the signature of Jamie Vardy and Alexandre Lacazette, Perez seemed to be the viable option in the market. Wenger admitted the he was finding it difficult getting a “better” striker in the market, in light of the current options at the Emirates.