Is Alexis Sanchez a good signing for Arsenal?

Alexis Sanchez: a profile of Arsenal's potential signing

Like the article on Debuchy, this article will profile a player that Arsenal are close to signing: Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez.

Alexis Sanchez celebrating his goal for FC Barcelona

Who is he?

Alexis Sanchez started his career in his homeland, Chile, with Cobreloa. After an impressive season, where he scored 12 goals in 47 games, he moved to Udinese for $3 million. However he was loaned out for two consecutive seasons, to Colo-Colo and River Plate. After returning from these loan spells he spent 3 seasons at Udinesse, scoring 20 goals in 95 games. After a breakout 2010-11 season, he was transferred to Barcelona for around €26 million. In 3 seasons, he has scored 39 goals in 88 appearances. At Barcelona Sanchez was deployed as a wingeroal haul isn't bad. This season he scored a career best of 21 goals in all comps, with 19 of those coming in La Liga. With Chile, Sanchez has scored 24 goals in 71 games, including 2 against England and 2 at this year’s World Cup.

Why is he an important signing? 

Sanchez can play on the wing and as a central striker. The latter is what I think Arsene Wenger would deploy him as. Sanchez may replace Giroud at the helm of Arsenal's upfront or he could play on the wing, with Özil in the centre and Giroud in front of him. Sanchez would add pace to an Arsenal side that in the second half of the season struggled for pace. Sanchez is also a prolific goal scorer and his play suits the Premier League. Sanchez would also suit Özil's style of play with Giroud struggled to get onto some of Özil's balls last season, Sanchez's pace might help there.

Any negative aspects of the signing?

Sanchez's transfer may herald the end of Podolski's Arsenal career because I doubt whether Podolski's will get much playing time. Also, Arsene Wenger may struggle to find the best position for Sanchez throughout the first part of the season, meaning he nay not perform that well. I doubt that, because of Wenger great man management skills. Finally, Sanchez may be our only marquee signing of this season and, in my opinion, to win the league Arsenal need one or two more signings, a great holding midfielder would definitely be one. If Sanchez is Arsenal's big signing then maybe Arsenal may not properly challenge for the title, consistently throughout the season. Despite this, I think Sanchez will be great signing and he will be successful for Arsenal.

Article contributed by: Luke Blackstock

Blog: theblackstockblog.wordpress.com

Twitter: @LukeZB99