Saturday 20 February 2016 14:09, UK
Barcelona star Javier Mascherano has said Alexis Sanchez is 'Arsenal's Luis Suarez' ahead of Tuesday's Champions League showdown.
Sanchez left Barca for Arsenal in 2014, having never won the Champions League title with the Spanish giants.
He goes up against his former team-mates at the Emirates, and centre-back Mascherano drew comparisons with Barca striker Suarez, who replaced him at the Nou Camp.
"Yes. Totally, there is a touch of Luis Suarez," he told The Independent. "He is a fighter. He never gives up a single ball for lost.
"He is always going to give everything. And that is fundamental for any team.
"He delivered in the time he was here. He was very involved. Maybe he just needed the challenge of having a greater part to play in another team… now he has a huge role to play for Arsenal. He is crucial to what they do. He is someone whose aggression and attitude is infectious."
Mascherano picked out midfielder Mesut Ozil as another threat.
"Ozil is key. Everything revolves around him," he said. "They have a very good midfield and they are always competitive even when they were losing important players and had to rebuild."
