Chelsea v Arsenal tactics: Why Alexis Sanchez’s role is crucial
Saturday 4 February 2017 08:37, UK
Alexis Sanchez's flexibility gives Arsene Wenger different options as he looks to find a way to win against Chelsea on Saturday, explains Sky Sports' tactics expert Danny Higginbotham.
The Gunners beat the now Premier League leaders 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in September with Sanchez up front but there have been changes for both teams since then.
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Chelsea have switched to a 3-4-3 while the return of Olivier Giroud has seen Sanchez return to the flanks. Deciding how best to use the Chilean at Stamford Bridge could be decisive.
"With Sanchez, we have seen him play up front more often than not," says Higginbotham.
"We're used to seeing him stretch defences and running in behind, but what's been happening more often than not is that he's actually become the deepest of that front four.
"The problem has been that if you are a centre-half with a centre-forward to mark, what you're going to do is follow him into certain areas.
"This is why Sanchez's movement is so clever. You might think that if David Luiz goes in there then that's no problem because you've got two other centre-halves who can cover.
"But the problem is that if you do that then you have this area that's then been vacated.
"Whether it is Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil or Alex Iwobi, with Sanchez playing up front what happens is that there are runners behind him.
"He actually creates space for others. That's something he has brought to their game because Ozil is really on the front foot when Sanchez is playing there.
"In fact, he has scored more goals already this season than he had in the entirety of last season in all competitions.
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"I think the sign of a top player is someone who brings out the best in those around him. That's exactly what Sanchez does."
However, Giroud's return to fitness and form has sparked a change in the striker position with the Frenchman even scoring in five consecutive appearances.
That has required Sanchez to adapt but it is a challenge he has responded to in typically impressive fashion.
"Giroud has come back into the team and that has meant a change of role for Sanchez," adds Higginbotham.
"It is very much a role reversal for Sanchez, but he is such a clever player that he can move between the two roles with no problem whatsoever.
"What we have seen since Giroud coming back in is that he is the one who drops deep. Now it is Giroud dropping deeper and allowing the room for Sanchez to get into.
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"This makes defenders go into areas where they don't want to go. Sanchez with the pace that he has got and the intelligence that he's got can really look to take advantage of that.
"So from actually being the deepest of the front four when playing as a striker, he can actually find himself as the furthest forward of the front four."
Which role will Wenger want Sanchez to play against Chelsea on Saturday? Getting that call right could be key to Arsenal's chances.
